Customer Reviews

Got Love

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Im a new Bel Airs fan now! Never heard of them before this CD and I have to say I loved it. They sound like a cross between a funky Delbert McClinton and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Id Love to see these guys live. Do yourself a favor and pick up this CD.

These guys are one of the greatest live bands ever. They put on a great show, and this album reflects that, great rock and roll.

I had a chance to hear these guys a while back when I was visiting a friend in Arkansas and bought the CD. Man, these guys would be welcome in my stomping ground (Tulsa, OK). This CD really represents what their live show is like. After I bought this I got Hoo Doo Party and it really never gets off the ground. The production is sloppy and the songs seem uneven, but Got Love fixes all that. I think if they would stick with the guy that produced this, start writing their own material, get with an experienced management company, and do some national marketing, they just might take their thing from bar band status to near headliners at blues festivals in the next 4-5 years.

This Missouri trio is part of the roots-rock axis that famously revolves around Springfield. Though the Bel Airs are from Columbia, they have much in common with their Springfield-based producer Lou Whitney and the various bands in which he has a hand, including The Skeletons, Morells and Domino Kings (the latter two of which, together with Brian Capps, all dropped new Whitney-produced releases on Hightone at the same time as this Bel Airs disc).

Where the Domino Kings lean on country and honky-tonk roots, and the Morells on roots-rock, the Bel Airs are more dyed-in-the-wools of blues, soul and R&B. The three-piece line up is based on a fat rhythm section powered by former Paladins' drummer Mike Cherry; they're fronted by Dick Pruitt's husky vocals and brother David Pruitt's strong electric guitar playing. Sax and organ are provided on a few cuts by guests, but the core threesome remains the focus, providing the rootsy feel of The Blasters.

Highpoints include a rough-yet-slinky cover of "Got Love If You Want It," the bluesy doo-wop of Earl King's "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights," and the soulfulness of The Tams'/Bill Deal's "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)." With such a great repertoire and the chops to make these songs really swing, this is clearly a band you'd like to hear playing Friday night at your local juke joint; their latest CD brings the club home to your living room! [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

Saw these guys live at BB's in St. Louis and they were wonderful. The guitar work is just excellant. I was so excited to find their music downloads. I'd buy the other albums too if there were available for download.

This band has the punch of the Meters, but with fewer musicians and
instruments, but with all the fire and appeal of that historic and classic band. You can't beat the combination of
songs and ideas, styles and treatments
in this album: everything from true love to sweaty bar scenes, to odes to legendary blues giants. I love the gritty vocals, harmonies, perfect guitar and sax playing. These guys
are the real thing, and they are fun to listen to. You will enjoy Got Love by The Bel Airs

I've heard all the Bel Airs records clear back to the vinyl days, and I think this is the best one yet. There's a fine variety of tunes from Memphis-type R&B on "Got Love If You Want It", old soul covers like "What kind of Fool Do You Think I Am" and "How You Fixed For Love", to catchy new blues tunes, like "The Blues Is Walkin', and a fine Delta style piece written by Dave Pruitt called "Going To the River". Dave also wrote the clever "Rich Man Poor Man", another fine Memphis style piece. The band really comes together on this CD.