The Lucky Losers – Arrival
The San Francisco-based decades-old The Lucky Losers features six-time Independent Blues Awards winners Cathy Lemons (vocals) & Phil Berkowitz (vocals/harmonica). Their 6th studio album Arrival (Dropped November 7/Dirty Cat Records/MoMojo Records/46:57) has 11 cuts produced by Grammy Award winner Kid Andersen (guitar/bass/keys).
The music is rooted in a variety of genres: country, uptown & gospel blues, funk, retro soul, R&B, & ‘70s rock with serious themes: sexual abuse, romance, traditional blues, soulful taps, Stax-styled ballads, all captivating with virtuosic performances. However, there is some dabbling into novelty approaches (not always), which makes many of the excellent, blues-oriented songs humorous.
Cathy Lemon possesses a superb blues voice, no doubt. First indications of an old-world bluesy sensibility come to the surface on “Pull on the Rope.” Cathy is inherently in the same margins as Genya Ravan, Brenda Patterson & Tracy Nelson. Supported by punchy backup singers, a Steve Cropper-type fueled guitar lead & magnetic Phil harmonica. The groove is established.
Phil does the vocals on “Play It From the Heart,” with accentuations from Cathy – this is another beneficial fit of voices. Quite invigorating. At times, they remind me of the vocal interplay between Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett (“Comin’ Home”), who were surprisingly good & original in their time. This duo has the blues-savviness of the Bramlett band. They have to keep the novelty aspects at a distance.
Cathy continues her strong fumed blues incineration with “I Believe Her (Because I Am Her),” a great tune for the late Janis Joplin. This song is one of the best with more smoking harmonica & potent lead guitar. Phil has a nice tonality to his harmonica, & it’s consistent. Close to the energetic runs once made famous by the late Paul Butterfield. The duo successfully manages to stir their pints of blues with a spoonful of soul.
“Don’t Let It Slip Away” is an excellent Cathy Lemons song. It sounds perfectly suited for a soulful Mavis Staples cover. Their “Misfit Kid” is durable & driving. While the humorous conclusion to “Ain’t The Marrying Kind” could’ve been omitted, the song falls into a Bessie Smith category. Perfect for her style.
Track 1, “S.C.A.M.”, is a good blues rocker melody. But uses the same catchy repetitive novelty word play as David Bowie’s “Fame.” There’s a lot to recommend it, but eventually it could age. Hopefully, another set of better lyrics will be created if it becomes too campy for audiences.
Highlights – “Pull on the Rope,” “Play It From the Heart,” “I Believe Her (Because I Am Her),” “Don’t Let It Slip Away,” “Misfit Kid,” & “Ain’t The Marrying Kind.”
Musicians – Chris Burns (keys), Simon Govan Smith (guitar), Edgar San Gabriel (bass), Jon Otis (drums/percussion), with Danny Caron (guitar), Endre Tarczy (bass), Paul Revelli (drums) & Doug James (tenor sax), Mike Rinta (trombone/horn arrangements) & John Halbieb (trumpet).
CD color image courtesy of Eric Fingal. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://www.theluckylosers.com/home
