THE LATVIAN BLUES BAND

Unreal

Blue Skunk Music

By Dawn O’Keefe Williams

The Latvian Blues Band’s CD Unreal is a unique mix of various types of blues, produced by legendary recording artist Duke Robillard.  The former Roomful of Blues guitarist is one of their biggest fans, which prompted him to produce their CD.  As he stated in the liner notes, "This is truly a great band!"

This internationally- known quartet has performed together since 1997.  They have traveled through Europe and occasionally to the U.S., where last year, (January, 2010) they competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.  They also have made an appearance at the Chicago Blues Fest.  This versatile ensemble is the favorite backup band to many American blues artists when they visit Latvia to play at the Bites Blues Club where the Latvian Blues Band plays weekly. 

With the influence of playing behind such blues greats as Long John Hunter, Bob Margolin, Carey Bell, John Primer and more, the band members have learned to sing and play the blues the way the American blues icons wrote it and performed it.  The talented Latvians demonstrate their writing and arranging skills by putting their own marks on the arrangements such as their funky version of Willie Dixon’s “Evil” and their gritty style for “Let The Door Hit You” (J.A. Mills and R.A. Newell-Socan).

Robillard, aside from being the producer on this CD, made a guest appearance playing guitar on a couple of cuts, Willie Dixon’s “Evil” and “Live Your Own Life,” which is one of the great originals written by Janis Bukovskis (guitar/vocals) and fellow band mates, Reinis Ozolins (bass), and Rolando Saulietis (drums).

There’s a lot of variety in this CD which makes it fun.  Through the eyes of fellow bluesmen, they take you through some old- time blues styles like “Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand” (H.R. Byrd).  They give you some easy listening style, jazzy blues in “Feel Like Cryin’” where Janis changes his gritty vocals to a more soulful touch.  There is a reggae beat with “Wake-Up” and a very sophisticated and polished jazz swing in “Nut Shuffle”.  Clearly there was a lot of thought in the arrangements as the intros to each song are not only different on each track, but unique within themselves.  The last song “Are You Ready,” another Latvian Blues Band original, starts with guitar and horn section breaks.  Instead of vocals shouting out the blues, it’s the guitar that has the spotlight. 

The Unreal CD is smartly packaged and has a booklet with details as to what instrument is being performed by whom.  It is a wonderful addition and acts like a GPS as it guides you through the CD.  It also includes some great pictures of the band and Duke Robillard, plus behind-the-scenes photos from the recording sessions.

Put on your blues shoes and get ready to boogie, be jazzy, get funky and go for the ride that takes you through all the different veins of blues.  The Latvian Blues Band’s CD, Unreal is a genuine delight and is highly recommended.

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