The Blues, An Evolution

Marty “Big Dog” Mercer, Brandon Santini, Danny & The Devils, Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings

Electro Glide Records

by Larry Schara

In the CD booklet, Terry Lape, President of Electro Glide Records, writes “If I have to label the music on this CD, I would have to call it Americana. Or if you like, just call it messing with the blues”. This CD is exactly that and it doesn’t disappoint!  Four artists with three songs apiece give you a nice cross section of blues styles. This is an excellent and entertaining compilation to say the least. All four musicians are talented singer/songwriters and band leaders. Except for Santini, who is a harp player, they are all skilled guitar players, too.

On a quick side note, the one negative I find with this CD, if you can really call it a negative, is the lack of credits. There are some amazing musicians and performances on these recordings. With the exception of Danny and the Devils mentioning bassist Mike Kramer and drummer Mark Bonasara (who really know how to lay a groove) I, for one, would like to know who some of these other outstanding players are.

But enough of that . . . . on to the music!!!!

“Some Other Fool” by Big Dog Mercer opens the CD. This song has a really crisp, big and open arrangement that pulls you right in and launches you into the music.  Mercer’s three song set on this CD evolves within itself, moving at times into some Southern influences not unlike something you might expect from the Allman Brothers or Marshall Tucker’s bluesier numbers. There are tasty arrangements and execution throughout.

Next up is Memphis based Brandon Santini.  This stuff just cooks!  The songs are a prime illustration of the blues on the R&B side, and we’re talking old style R&B, not the new stuff. While listening to Brandon’s music, I kept waiting for the Memphis Horns to jump in at anytime. “You Ruined Poor Me” is the perfect example of this genre and Santini’s energetic harp playing fits in nicely while pulling it all together.

Danny and the Devils, led by Dan Baron, open with “Don’t Come Back This Time”. This is a fun song with whimsical lyrics that deserves a listen or two or three. But then on track #8 they really lay it down. “Jealousy” has one of those truly infectious grooves and if you don’t find your foot tapping or your fingers drumming while listening to this you gotta be dead!

Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings move into place with a fine example of Chicago style blues. Flavorsome slide guitar moves you along over a solid blues foundation from the rhythm section.  It’s solid evidence proving why Tom slings the guitar for people like the legendary James Cotton, besides working hard with the Shuffle Kings.  So as this CD closes with Holland’s “Zeb’s Blues,” this particular musical journey suddenly seems short because it definitely leaves you wanting more.

No doubt, this was the intention of the Electro Glide label -- to whet your appetite for its artists and their full length CDs. Big Dog Mercer and Brandon Santini recently released their discs, while Tom Holland and Dan Baron will drop CDs later this year.

For more info, visit: www.ElectroGlideRecords.com