Rick Derringer - Knighted By the Blues [5/5]

Artist:

Derringer, Rick

UPC:

026245206625

See Also:

McCoys (The) Waters, Muddy Clapton, Eric Winter, Edgar Frampton, Peter Foghat Winter, Johnny

Description:

Personnel: Rick Derringer (vocals, guitar, bass instrument); Ron Reinhardt (keyboards); Dave Reinhardt (drums).
Recording information: Panda Productions, Clearwater, FL.
Rick Derringer tried a variety of different things in the 1980s, `90s, and 2000s. The singer/guitarist recorded his share of middle of the road pop/rock and adult contemporary albums, and he even recorded an instrumental jazz-pop/smooth jazz album that had George Benson-ish leanings (2002`s Free Ride). But Derringer, who turned 61 in 2008, has a way of going back to blues-rock and hard rock -- which is exactly what he does on Knighted by the Blues. Granted, this 2009 release wasn`t recorded with blues purists in mind; not everything on Knighted by the Blues adheres to the traditional 12-bar format. But the feeling of the blues is quite strong throughout this 51-minute CD; that feeling is as strong on Derringer`s own songs as it is on enjoyable performances of Jimi Hendrix`s "If 6 Was Nine" and Ray Charles` "Funny, I Still Love You." Knighted by the Blues is definitely one of Derringer`s grittier, tougher, more ballsy efforts -- and given his history, it isn`t surprising that he would return to this type of approach. Over the years, Derringer has fluctuated between very commercial recordings and recordings that were much edgier. It`s no coincidence that even though Derringer is best known for "Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo," he is also well known for the bubblegum pop/rock he played with the McCoys in the `60s. So taking his history into account, it really isn`t surprising that Derringer would offer a jazz-pop/smooth jazz album in 2002 and come out with a blues-rock/hard rock album like Knighted by the Blues seven years later in 2009. Knighted by the Blues isn`t among Derringer`s essential releases, but it`s certainly respectable and is well worth hearing if one fancies his edgier side. ~ Alex Henderson

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Mess Around, The
2. Sometimes
3. Give Me Some Money
4. If 6 Was 9
5. Knighted by the Blues
6. Jenda
7. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
8. My Gals Kinda Crazy
9. Time to Go
10. Funny, I Still Love You

Album Information

Release Date:

05/05/2009

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Hard Rock

Label:

Shrapnel

Producer:

Rick Derringer; Rick Derringer

Catalog Number:

452066

Original Release Year:

2009

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

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