J.P. Reali – Grateful Blues
You have to look at this from the perspective that it’s a good idea. Turning a few Grateful Dead classics into blues. It’s like when you take all the leftovers of the week & make a Shepherd’s pie on Friday with all those wonderful, tasty ingredients in it.
“Easy Wind” starts the meal off with laid-back, exceptional hippie-dippy vocals that are warm, nostalgic & swaddled in both blues muscle & Grateful Dead looseness. The tune is a Robert Hunter original & though he wasn’t the best lyricist, he had a style that made the Grateful Dead songs have character. J.P. Reali (vocals/guitars) manages to keep that spirit alive on each of these covers.
There are 6 musical dives into Grateful Blues (Drops July 31/Reali Records/25:20), all originally Grateful Dead compositions produced by Jim Larson (drums/percussion) & recorded in Philadelphia, PA. “Loose Lucy” continues with a wondrous vocal approach, with snappy barrelhouse piano savviness courtesy of Rich Budesa (keyboards) & backing vocals by Trina Meade that lend a punch similar to Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Quite cool. J.P. Reali’s snazzy blues guitar is what’s special — his ability to conjure another era without sounding retro. J.P. remains faithful to the material.
These sound fresh & renewed. Bob Dylan was always, for some, a hard listen. But when his songs were recorded by Manfred Mann, Joan Baez, Judy Collins & The Byrds, many people were surprised to learn just how good Dylan’s songs were. So, for those who ignored the hippie front-loaded aesthetic of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia & his San Francisco company of musicians hearing these songs rejuvenated bluesy & precise by Mr. Reali gives the songs a renewed life in a new era for new ears.
“West L.A. Fade Away” is quite accomplished in this Reali realm. Not as trippy as the Dead, the song as a blues is like a pale woman who just came in from the beach with a perfect tan. “I Need a Miracle” may be the Blues, but J.P. does it upbeat Texas shuffle style. Reali’s guitar licks here are superb with their B.B. King itch.
A little darker is “Mr. Charlie” with its Chuck E. Weiss edginess & the slide guitar winding around the melody until Reali adds the biting lead that gives the tune a Sonny Liston intimidating snarl. This is where rock ‘n’ roll lives now with musicians like J.P. Reali. Not with pretty, shampooed hair faces, but swaddled in experience, chiseled in sunbaked wrinkles, hats on every thin-haired head, all-knowing smiles radiating & that “make my day” stare. They may be the “living dead” on every tune. I like it.
Highlights – “Easy Wind,” “Loose Lucy,” “West L.A. Fade Away,” “I Need a Miracle” & “Mr. Charlie.”
Musicians – Monty Cullum (bass) & Rob Swanson (acoustic bass).
Color image courtesy of Michael G. Stewart. CD cover image courtesy of Liz Ryan. CD @ Apple & https://jpreali.com/