Customer Reviews

That's Big

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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Little Charlie and the Nightcats continue to showcase their brand of California Jump blues with their new release "That's Big". The Nightcats style has always involved a unique combination of swing, jazz, R&B and Chicago blues all combined with often comical real life lyrics. On "Desperate Man" for example, vocalist/harpist Rick Estrin laments over being in love with a woman he just can't stand. While the title track "That's Big" places the big woman, as the object of his desire. There are a couple of guest appearances on the CD that are noteworthy. Rusty Zinn plays guitar on the instrumental "Bluto's Back" and guitar and vocals on the slow paced R&B number, "It Better Get Better". While Icepick James Harman joins the fun singing backup vocals on "That's Big". This disc has it all, guitars, harp, organ, sax, piano and plenty of wit and fun. Another winner for Chalie Baty and Rick Estrin.

Little Charlie Baty and Rick Estrin have returned with a new backing band and a swinging set of (mostly) originals!
It has been quite sometime since the last CD (Shadow of the blues) but the wait has been worth it. What sets this disc apart from earlier releases is the big "real" sound, a wonderful production. Rick's harmonica has never been heard as full and dynamic as here and his Chromatic workouts are simply awesome!
There is very little to critisize here - strong material and playing, top-notch production and guest star Rusty Zinn. The styles of the songs range from swing to gutsy Chicago. A horn section fills out some of the songs but it is in the quartet-mode most of them are heard. Rich Estrin is definitely one of the greatest now living harp players around and on this CD he smokes! Charlie is scary as hell and the backup is tight. So, for some real West coast party music - open up the volume on the stereo and let the Nightcats to their job.

If you've never had the joy of seeing little charlie and the nightcats live this cd should drive out im the world looking for them. They are as cool and slick as the clothes they wear on stage. Fast or slow, gritty or groovy, low down or looking for love, Rick Estrin's witty lyrics and seamless delivery bring forth their love of a gene in it's many forms...Little Charlie can get more notes than any two so called rock guitar gods out of the same set of frets and six strings. Chicago jump blues at it's best with some west coast swing thrown in for spice...They just improve with age...Now get out there kids and enjoy some blues

Great Little Charlie & the Nightcats. Every song is good

If you are a blues fan and have yet to experience the West Coast Blues scene or Little Charlie and the Nightcats in particular, BUY this CD! 'Little' Charlie and Rusty Zinn offer up some smokin' solos on "Bluto's Back" that boggle the mind. Once you hear this offering, you'll be back to the store buying all the rest. Great party music! Also recommend Rod Piazza, Rusty Zinn, Kid Ramos.

There are groups that rock and then there are groups that really rock. Little Charlie and the Nightcats do the latter. This ablum is a must buy. Take it to a friend's party and plug it in his/her CD player and watch the place start to jump. This one is definitely a keeper and there is not one clunker in the whole playlist. There are three must play songs on the album. These are That's Big, Coastin' Hank and Go On If You're Goin' I recommend that you check out the rest of their albums if you want to hear more of their stuff.