Al Basile - Groovin` in the Mood Room

Artist:

Basile, Al

UPC:

669469066028

Description:

Personnel: Al Basile (vocals, cornet); Al Basile; Duke Robillard (guitar, guitars, piano, background vocals); Mark Teixeira (drums, tambourine); Doug James (tenor); Bruce Bears (organ); Marty Ballou (electric bass). Liner Note Author: Ken Franckling. Recording information: Duke`s Mood Room, Pawtucket, RI (12/2005). Vocalist/cornet player Al Basile`s longtime friend Duke Robillard gets front cover billing, as well he should, as co-producer and guitarist on this impressive outing. The album, Basile`s fifth, was even recorded at the guitarist`s Pawtucket, RI studio called the Mood Room, hence the album`s title. Musically, it`s a combination of old-school R&B ("Baby Sister," "Be a Woman"), swamp-tinged rock & roll ("I`m in a Mood"), mid-tempo, Chuck Berry styled groovers ("Coffee and Cadillacs"), grinding blues ("Picked to Click") and even a jump blues throwback to the duo`s Roomful of Blues days ("She`s on the Mainline"). Robillard keeps the sound full yet stripped down -- most of the tracks feature a standard three-piece -- bass/drums/guitar setup -- which leaves space for Basile`s sly vocals and snappy lyrics. Basile, a teacher and fiction author who also has a Master`s degree in creative writing, not surprisingly crafts lyrics that are far more imaginative and original than most blues artists`. But they never detract from these melodies that glide along sparked by Robillard`s tasty licks. The sound is clean and direct with each instrument clear in the mix as Basile and Robillard work off each other`s strengths. As an added bonus, Basile writes short blurbs for each track in the accompanying booklet. Most of these are witty, some enlightening and all convey a better grasp of why the song was written and/or how it was performed. The notes bring a personal touch to an album that sure sounds like a labor of love for Basile and Robillard. They have created a low-key but tremendously enjoyable gem that any lover of classic R&B, and most Roomful of Blues fans, will relish. ~ Hal Horowitz

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. I Got to Be the Boss
2. How Much Better (Better Can Get)
3. She`s on the Mainline
4. Picked to Click
5. Your Turn to Pay
6. Baby Sister
7. I`m in a Mood
8. Show Must Go On, The
9. Your Rights
10. Take My Word for It
11. Be a Woman
12. Coffee and Cadillacs
13. You Satisfy

Album Information

Release Date:

06/20/2006

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Jump Blues

Label:

Sweetspot Records

Producer:

Duke Robillard; Duke Robillard

Catalog Number:

6602

Original Release Year:

2006

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

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