Domenic Cicala – As Good As It Gets / Vamoose – Double LP Set
This is a double set. The majority of music between these efforts faithfully remain within the genre of roots rock & Americana with touches of country. The first 5 are more rock oriented facing mortality. It’s rock with introspection. “Vamoose” breaks out in a more classic country inflected showcase. With the typical country angst which includes love, cheatin’ & breakup songs.
Both sets on 2 separate CDs (5 songs each).
Recorded at Hit & Run Recording & produced by Domenic Cicala with Steven Carr for As Good As It Gets / Vamoose – Double LP Set (Drops April 18/Tortured Artists Records).
Washington, D.C.’s Dominic (guitars/vocals) makes the point that when you mix country with rock it isn’t country rock as much as it’s more accurately roots rock/Americana. I’m inclined to agree. His opener “Dance With the Devil” is a slick sax sweetened rocker but never loses the Americana momentum. Quite a delicious arrangement. It has a memorable charging melody.
Then, Cicala falls back into a more rootsy country furrow of “Never Be The Same.” I’d have thought the placement was out of sync with the opener but somehow the placement works. This is a lovely ballad. Elvis Presley would’ve covered this excellently.
Cicala’s lyrics are cleverly woven. Always something cool going on with his words & the backup singers are expressive. Cicala’s vocals, when not being processed by echo, is a fine voice for rock, country & Americana. He also knows the value of lyrics & emphasizes the important words perfectly. Many songs are accentuated by the saxes & they’re wonderfully rendered.
The ”Vamoose” sessions are more country & the title track is a beauty. Backup vocals are as strong as the female vocalists who backed pop singer Bobby Rydell so wonderfully back in the ‘60s. The tunes, as good as they are to my ears, are primarily retro country from the ‘60s in tradition. “One Good Reason” could’ve been covered by the late Jim Reeves. While Ray Baker’s “There’s a Heartache Following Me” is country with a pinch of Tex-Mex salt. Stirring female vocal & steel guitar backup. Real good.
It’s to be expected…it’s Domenic Cicala.
Highlights – “Dance With the Devil,” “Never Be The Same,” “As Good As It Gets,” “Still Around,” “Vamoose,” “One Good Reason,” & “The Road We’re On.”
Musicians – “As Good As It Gets” (19:24) – Blair Hogan (guitars/bass), Eric Selby (drums), Bill Starks (piano/keys), Arif Durrani (keys), Chris Watling (sax), Nick Reider (trumpet), Michelle Hannan & Sheri Kennedy (harmony) with Billy Coulter (vocals).
“Vamoose” (19:49) – Blair Hogan (guitar), Gantt Kushner (guitar on “One Good Reason”), Moe Nelson (bass), Mark Noone (bass – “Vamoose”), Eric Selby (drums), Bill Starks (piano), Arif Durrani (piano), Lynn Kasdorf (steel guitar), Michelle Hannan & Shannon Bielski (harmony vocals).
All songs were written by Domenic except “There’s a Heartache Following Me.” CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.domeniccicala.com/
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2024/10/28/song-premiere-domenic-cicala-as-good-as-it-gets/