Customer Reviews

Standing Room Only

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How many times have you been disappointed when a blues band shows up to a gig as a three piece when all of its discs feature horns and keyboards on nearly every track? Roomful of Blues fans never experience a let down since the band includes as members the two saxophones, trumpet, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and harmonica heard on its discs. What you hear on disc is what you get live and, in this case, fans should be salivating in anticipation of the band's next appearance. Simply put, the band has rarely sounded better. Starting things off with the fast paced, horn laden "She Put A Spell On Me", the band works its way through 14 cuts that allow the band to flex its instrumental muscles in a variety of settings. "I Can't Stand You No More" has a slinky, guitar driven mambo groove that is unlike anything the band has recorded before. "Boomerang" is a rockin,' dance floor filling number for the rock and roll dancers while "Just Keep Rockin'" , "Jona Lee", "Flip Flap Jack" and "Up Jumped the Devil" will give the swing dancers a work out. While the band has proved over and over that it is the gold standard for upbeat numbers it makes a strong case here for its ability to play the kind of slow, emotional blues that are Bobby "Blue" Bland's stock in trade. On "Sufferin' With The Blues" lead vocalist Mark DuFresne conveys a deep, desperate pain that conjures up images of someone ending the night alone crying in bad scotch wondering if it is worth it to make it to tomorrow. The band's instrumental prowess is showcased on "Straight Jaquette" which features the dueling saxophones of Mark Earley and Rich Latille and allows trumpeter Bob Enos to take a couple of flights into the stratosphere. A pleasant curve ball is thrown into the mix on the easy loping groove of Nobody Knows which features guitarist Chris Vachon serving up croaking vocals reminiscent of Tom Waits. As with past discs, the band features covers by jump blues kings like Roy Brown but this time extends into soul blues penned by Little Milton and Lowell Fulson and a number of self-penned tunes (Vachon logs in with four while Latille, Earley, DuFresne and keyboard ace Travis Colby contribute one each) that fit seamlessly with those of the masters that they have covered. After more than three decades in the business, Roomful of Blues continues to deliver the goods both live and on disc.

This incredible band, wrapping up decade 4, has its eyes on the past (big band swing bands of the 40's) with a view towards keeping the sound tight and rockin' for the modern age. New vocalist Mark Dufresne has a range that can bring chills or simply drive the band with power and a bluesy cool. Leader Chris Vachon is one of the best guitar players out there for feel and tone whether playing a slow blues groove or hitting it hard. I am always so pleased to see new work come from this incredible American institution. They swing, they jump, they jive, they are simply outstanding. Another live album featuring this current line-up would be great. The horn section led by 30+ year saxman Rich Lataille is as bright and sharp as ever. Bubba's horn work is outstanding! As a great band leader once said when asked which line-up was the best of all the ones he's had over the years, he replied, 'Why this one of course". Simply put, America's best jump blues band, period!!

The first thing I noticed was that these guys are having fun on this record. The band is tight as a guitar string. The horns wail, the vocals are whiskey smooth, not a mis-step in the song selection. I saw Marcia Ball recently, and it was a PAR-TAY, so maybe it is "sumfin'in da watah down der", but this was as much fun as blues record gets. All songs are good, most are way above average. The novelty of "Flip Flop Jack" and whistling sing-song intro on "Nobody Knows" made it a blast to listen to listen right down to the last chord... With nods to 1940's jump-swing, 50's style steet corner crooning (Sufferin with the Blues), plus a modern production, made for a throughly solid listen. Next road trip or pary I throw, I'll know where to start, and just keep on rockin'.

Roomful of Blues

Standing Room Only

Alligator ALCD 4900

Roomful of Blues is a party band's party band. On their 14th release, the eight member group sounds like a 1940s big band. Since 1967, Roomful has combined swing, rock, blues, and R&B. Back then, the band was started by guitarist Duke Robillard and keyboardist Al Copley. Three years later, a horn section was added. In 1977, their debut album broke them out of New England and into national attention. Robillard left in 1980 and over the years, the band was been home to at least 44 members.

The current lineup includes a stomping three-piece horn section. They contribute significantly to the group's swaying sound on this follow-up to 2003's That's Right. Throughout 14 tracks, (eight original numbers and six obscure classics from the likes of Little Milton and Lowell Fulson), they flaunt their renowned signature sound. Singer/harpist Mark DuFresne sounds like a modern-day Frank Sinatra. Since joining the group in 2002, DuFresne has ignited a return to the band's roots. His classy vocals are a highlight on "The Love You Lost On The Way" and "Sufferin' With The Blues." The arrangement on the latter goes against the band's core fabric. This makes it an extremely difficult number to pull off. Much of the credit for making the song work must go to DuFresne's soft and precise voice.

The disc begins with boundless energy. "She Put A Spell On Me" allures with interest. Immediately, you want to hear more. "Boomerang" combines the sounds of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Downchild Blues Band. Here, Chris Vachon's hot rockin' guitar is set atop a non-stop rhythm that is punchy. On "Just Keep On Rockin'", the horn-laden band performs hopping sounds from an era gone by. "Straight Jaquette" is a slinky instrumental, like ones heard in old-fashioned vinyl record shops.

Their dancing music makes you feel great. A couple of songs, ("Boomerang" and "Just Keep On Rockin'") are worthy of Song Of The Year, and most should be played on radio. Roomful's exciting sound is a welcome alternate to guitar driven blues.

Tim Holek

I seen this band play, once they opened for a true Blues Legend Albert king.. I mean they were not bad, their musically talented, but at the end of the day, Can you truelly call them a blues band you'll recomend? not really. As Albert king well put it.. " Blues full or Room"...

Its hard to judge fairly when they opened for a master blues guitarist Albert King!......

in all, not bad, but a great blues band? eh!