Standing Room Only

Roomful Of Blues

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 11, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0006J2FGW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,887 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Blues Revue

"A sheer joy...contagious, finger-popping, head-bopping grooves...the horns blast loud & proud...explosive & electrifying"

Product Description

They joined the Alligator Records family with THAT'S RIGHT! in 2003. The CD received massive amounts of praise and received yet another Grammy© nomination. Now they’re back with STANDING ROOM ONLY an utterly hip-shaking set of songs highlighting the vocal and instrumental power of the band.

Remaining together for so long is not simply a matter of survival, but rather a testament to Roomful of Blues' commitment to its originality and its ability to evolve. Over the years, Roomful's lineup has changed but the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. With vocalist/harpist Mark DuFresne, bassist Brad Hallen, drummer Jason Corbiere, keyboardist (and newest member of the group) Travis Colby, baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley along with long-time members tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille (the longest-standing member of the group) and trumpeter Bob Enos, STANDING ROOM ONLY swings with ferocity and rocks with urgency and purpose. Moving effortlessly from eight originals to six carefully chosen covers, the expertly executed songs sizzle from start to finish.

STANDING ROOM ONLY is a knockout punch from a group of blues heavyweights, full of big band swing, razor-sharp blues and sweaty R&B workouts.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roomful Still Delivers the Goods, January 25, 2005

By	Mark R. Smith "BluSmitty" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Room with a View, October 22, 2005

By	H. Tibbs "BT" (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just keeps on rockin', March 2, 2005

By	Diamond Dave (Chicago, Home of the Blues) - See all my reviews

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'.