Jimmy Vivino – Gonna Be 2 of Those Days
For the most part, the blues is such an antique genre that to play it now would be purely a nostalgic run. Jimmy Vivino manages to inject rousing character & personality into his showcase & that alone brings forth a fresh aroma to an old recipe.
On “Blues In the 21st” with Joe Bonamassa (guitar) the beat plods heavy-shoed with standard bluesy diligence but the guitars dress the tune up in fine classy threads. The song title should’ve been “Everybody Got A Mask On” — that’s the catch. Wearing a mask – many can relate to that masquerade.
Produced by NJ-born Jimmy Vivino (vocals/electric & acoustic guitars/Hammond B3/piano) with Rich Pagano (drums/percussion) the 11 fiery cuts on Gonna Be 2 of Those Days (Drops Feb 14/Gulf Coast Records/56:02) were recorded in varied studios in NY, California & Massachusetts.
“Ain’t Nuthin’s Gonna Be Alright,” is creatively applied especially since Jimmy doesn’t dwell on places typically in blues country like Mississippi, Texas, Alabama & Tennessee locales. Instead, he namechecks New York, CA & New Jersey. Now that may seem silly, but it’s refreshing in a blues song. Vivino sings primarily straight in the sense that he doesn’t try to emulate the blues greats that came before him. On some tunes, he sounds like he added too much pop carbonation to his blues inflection (“Better Days Past”) but — the energy & mainstream gutsiness elevate it.
The arrangements have a good sting & the aggressiveness in many tunes makes it all the more interesting. Vivino seems to avoid the traditional blues pontificating & typical chords & settles more comfortably in the necessary snarls, rambunctiousness, chord bending & crunch to sufficiently inspire everything.
What these lack for now is the blues sultriness (Elvis’ “Reconsider Baby” “Power of My Love”) with its suggestiveness, sexual impulses & heat. Jimmy’s blues are more rooted in the playing than the intonation & phrasing. His narrative is well punctuated & sincere despite not having lived a southern blues man’s life. So, accepting that Jimmy’s interpreting – he’s doing an admirable job.
The slower “Fool’s Gold,” despite its cliched title burns feisty & the lead guitar’s well emphasized. Whereas the early ’60s blues style of “Crossed My Mind,” is sung with a rich Ray Charles phrasing that’s wonderful. “Goin’ Down Fast” is remarkable. Jimmy sounds like Levon Helm of The Band on this confident track with a whimsical accordion. This would be the next logical genre for Jimmy to splash around in.
Highlights – “Blues In the 21st” “Ain’t Nuthin’s Gonna Be Alright,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Crossed My Mind” & “Goin’ Down Fast.”
Musicians – John Sebastian (harmonica/acoustic guitar on 2 tracks), Jesse Williams (upright & electric bass), Mark Teixeira (percussion) & Scott Healy (piano/accordion).
CD color image courtesy of Danny Clinch. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://jimmyvmusic.com/home + https://kim-mancuso.squarespace.com/
Song Premiere: Dean Zucchero “Biting Through (feat. Jimmy Vivino)”
