Al Basile – Blues In Hand
This is the 21st album since 1998 for this distinguished blues stylist who doesn’t rely on sweeping lead guitar bursts throughout his music as most do. Instead, “All of Your Lies,” the arrangement encompasses smooth drum beats, refined laid back Al Basile blues vocals accentuated by his cornet that adds finesse. The lead guitar sizzle comes as the 2nd solo & it has hot wire notes instead of blistering takes.
The second tune starts with warm horn for “Blues Is My Roomate.” Basile effortlessly sings with expertise & doesn’t have a growling voice — he has character. Another cool guitar solo snakes its way through & the horns seductively stay in the undertow – supplicating an atmosphere of loneliness. It can be noirish with a Raymond Chandler blues script.
There are 13 original blues to Blues In Hand (Drops Oct 9/Sweetspot Records/57:28) self-produced & recorded in West Greenwich, RI & San Jose, CA (not exactly blues capitals of the world, but it works). Not every song has the desperation, anger, hardship & low-down dismals of the old blues master’s but one can only write about what they’ve experienced. Even an optimistic prowler like “Good Friends” is musically compelling.
A more B.B. King themed “Blues After Blues” finds Al’s trumpet swaggering in like Miles Davis suddenly decided to add some blues toots of his own. It has its haunting moments thick with style over substance, but the song doesn’t explore any deep unexplored areas of the genre. It maintains strong elements, guitar, organ & peppery trumpet notes
Some tunes are more blues-entertainment, mainstream shaped, than traditionally rooted blues. However, even during these performances the tight musician’s shine. Obviously, their blues instincts pick up where the showbiz tries to creep in. Al creatively does choose themes other blues artists/writers don’t often sing about. After so many decades of this genre it’s refreshing to see someone sing accurately without falling victim to the showboating end of the blues & neglect the roots of underlying bitterness. That’s why they call it the blues. They’re preoccupied with fire & never see how dangerous smoke can be.
Slipping into a more Muscle Shoals groove is “Thank You, Fool,” — Otis Redding-Sam Cooke soul tradition. That’s what the old rhythm & blues was. The strongest tune in a traditionalist sense is the achy “My Dearest Dream.” It’s a great little album.
Highlights – “All of Your Lies,” “Blues Is My Roomate,” “Blues After Blues,” “Good Friends,” “Older By the Minute,” “Thank You, Fool,” “My Dearest Dream,” & “You Ain’t That Fine.”
Musicians – Mark Teixeira (drums), Brad Hallen (electric bass), Bruce Bears (keys), Jeff “Doc” Chanonhouse (trumpet), Doug James (tenor), Kid Andersen & Jhett Black (guitars).
A full color 20pp stitched lyric insert is included. CD @ https://albasile.com/ & https://www.markpuccimedia.com/?p=4884
