Anthony Geraci – Where Were You
An interesting set by a pianist, composer & band leader who has sculpted a soulful set of Chicago blues, jazz, soul & roots music. Connecticut native Anthony Geraci (piano/Hammond organ/vocals) “sounds” like an average keyboard wiz from New England, but his fingers tell a different story – he’s tickled the ivories with Odetta, Big Walter Horton, Ronnie Earl, Debbie Davies, Pinetop Perkins, Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, Sugaray Rayford (reviewed at Americana Highways) & others. The man has a resume.
This endeavor bestows upon listeners 12 prestigious & impressive originals with vocals & piano excursions on Where Were You (Dropped Sept. 18/Delmark Records/46:53). A deliberate mixture of stylistic performances produced by Elbio Barilari & recorded at Delmark Riverside Studios, Chicago & Acton, MA. Sheryl Youngblood (drums) provides the vocals on a slow & percolating “Where Were You” & Geraci’s piano pours dozens of notes across the landscape with a classical tone – far more than is often heard in a standard blues song. Mixed with a joyous barrelhouse piano tingle & Sheryl adding steamy expressive sensitivity with her good range, intonation & phrasing.
“Brooklyn Boogie,” is a well-conceived hot boogie-woogie dosage all drive & no brakes. Superb piano run by Geraci since he doesn’t lose the vintage looseness & musical flavor by his adding lots of seasoning to the sauce. What this LP signifies is a wonderful whiff of spirit planted in the past & that blossoms with modernistic finesse & jive. Excellent instrumentality (“All I Got Is You”) surrounds the calm & cursory vocals of Geraci himself. Those music schools Geraci attended didn’t squeeze the instinctive musical soul out of his fingers & voice. Can I get a hallelujah?
There’s nothing garish or abrasive here. It’s skillful & most importantly done with taste. The instrumentals have a thematic magic that grips the ear lobes like a tender grandmother with Hershey bars. “Rockin’ til’ Dawn,” has an addictive Mario Perrett sax with a tickle of notes — evident in the hit Rockin’ Rebels 45 “Wild Weekend” — infectious. “Even a Fool’s Right Once in Awhile” is another Sheryl vocal & though it’s not the blues, it’s a wonderful easy listening ballad with cool reserve.
“Breaking Bread” is fine & jazzy before the Cab Calloway vapors of “Oobiedoobie Man” spills a Jerry Lee Lewis-type pumping piano run up against more Perrett sax, Geraci lead voice with divine backup vocals. Diamond-sharp performances.
Highlights – “Where Were You,” “Brooklyn Boogie,” “All I Got Is You,” “Rockin’ til’ Dawn,” “Even a Fool’s Right Once in Awhile,” “Breaking Bread” & “Oobiedoobie Man.”
Musicians – Nick Toscano, John Medeiros, Jr., & Pooky Styx (drums), Barrence Whitfield (vocals), David Specter, Barrett Anderson & Jon McDonald (guitars), Rodrigo Mantovani & Tom Terry (bass) & Anne Harris (violin).
Images by Jeff Fasano Photography. CD @ Apple & https://anthonygeraciblue.com/album/2791558/where-were-you & https://delmark.com/product/anthony-geraci/