ROADHOUSE: THE LOST SOUNDTRACK The Jeff Healey Band (Sony/ Mondo Music) *****++
As far as Jeff’s fans go this has been a long time coming. The Jeff Healey Band was the house band in Patrick Swayze’s cheesy 1989 classic and, if you have the album, you know that only 4 cuts appeared there plus a few more in the film. Many more were recorded at the time, including some that would appear on their debut disc See The Light. Well, no more worry about those extra tracks as they’ve been gathered here on Roadhouse: The Lost Soundtrack, and I daresay the wait was worth it… ‘spectacular’ doesn’t begin to describe how good this is.
Original session producers in ‘88/ ’89 were Jimmy Iovine and Thom Panunzio, executive producers for The Lost Soundtrack are Roger Costa and Jeff’s widow Christie. In an interview on www.jeffhealey.com, JHB bassist Joe Rockman, after listening to The Lost Soundtrack, commented “I was truly blown away by the modern realism achieved by executive producer Roger Costa, who painstakingly dissected, remixed and remastered all the original recordings, extracting the extraneous late 1980’s sonic production and mixes that were designed for the film creating a drier, direct, more intimate feel.”
Roadhouse: The Lost Soundtrack is a unique chance to catch an insanely talented band as they were getting ready to launch themselves on the world stage. Bassist Rockman and drummer Tom Stephen were a bullet-proof rhythm section, laying the groundwork for Healey’s guitar pyrotechnics. This set includes all 12 tunes that were used in the film itself, 8 previously unreleased, as well as 7 additional bonus tracks; songs recorded during the Roadhouse sessions that had never before been released in any form. Though Jeff died in 2008 fans of his playing in particular, hungry for every note the band played, should be all over this like a cheap suit.
I can’t say enough about amazing this set is; from the abundance of songs (20) to Roger Costa’s production. Even if you have a cd copy of the original soundtrack (and I do) you really need to add this to your music collection and/or playlist- it’s fucking spectacular and available now on streaming platforms plus LP’s and CD’s from the website below.
HOT TRACKS: I’m Tore Down, Knock On Wood, One Foot On The Gravel, White Room
BLUE EYED SOUL Markey Blue Ric Latina Project (Soul O Sound Records) ****+
A perfect album title; Blue Eyed Soul is smooth, gentle and relaxing. I couldn’t have said it better than JR Miller of High Note Reviews; “Looking for a chill pill? Blue Eyed Soul is the perfect prescription.”
Like early 80’s pop/jazz, Blue Eyed Soul sticks with you like a good soul massage. The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project’s music is featured regularly on TV shows, with 6 of these 12 songs already being picked up for television placement. There are a ton of musicians involved here besides Markey and Ric, including Stax legend Steve Cropper. He asked to take part after hearing Baby I’m Crying, saying he “couldn’t get the song out of his head.”
All songs are credited to Jeanette Markey and Eric B. Latina, with Eric mixing at Bric House Studios, production is crystal clear. I’m really loving the retro vibe of the electric piano, and Jeanette has a sort of effortless, natural vintage style voice that just wraps itself around the lyrics like a velvet cloak- gorgeous!
Blue Eyed Soul is a beautiful thing so pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back and climb right inside these vibes… you can thank me later.
HOT TRACKS: Crazy Without You, When I Close My Eyes, Baby I’m Cryin’
HERE WE ARE Sierra Green & The Giants (Big Radio Records) *** ½
This is a stone soul groove… Here We Are is a set of legendary songs re-imagined and representing of what drives Sierra Green & The Giants. Her voice is soulful, passionate and, coupled with the elegant and so very together musicianship, this is one heck of a ride.
It’s no surprise that Green comes from New Orleans, where she’s known as “The Queen of French Street”… Here We Are embodies the buoyant spirit and verve of the Crescent City, which in turn draws you into every song. Recorded in Nashville and New Orleans and produced by guitarist/ collaborator. J.D. Simo (Beyonce, Stevie Nicks, Jack White) and David Torkanowsky this is a bold and brassy but not arrogant record that holds groove high above all else. Some sweet instrumental performances here to be sure and you can really appreciate the power of these talented players rowing in the same direction; it’s relentless and intoxicating at the same time.
You’ll feel some blues in the mix but Here We Are is mainly a soul record, with Sierra’s vocal in the James Brown classic It’s A Man’s World being particularly arresting. This disc is a motherfunkin’ soul adventure.
www.sierragreenandthegiants.com
HOT TRACKS: It’s A Man’s World, Can You Get To That, Come To Mama
ROUGH TIME Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers (independent) *****
Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers ROUGH TIME Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers have a winner here. Rough Time is a hairy amalgam of blues, southern rock and outlaw country, real life stories that hit deep. Mostly rock in a Skynyrd sort of way, it’s rough around the edges in a shockingly effective combination.
“It’s a very personal record” Dove says of Rough Time. “You realize things as you watch your kids get older; you were ‘that’ old when ‘X’ happened. Time changes the way your personal lens focuses in on things.” A good song takes you on a journey while a good album takes you there and back, and this is the right record for the job.
If I had to characterize Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers it would be southern rock with a blues underbelly. Lots of cool, infectiously upbeat stuff here, but when they gear down for a slow blues like the title track it will rip your heart out, particularly the guitar solos that match Dove’s rough-hewn growling vocals. “I’m a big proponent of doing what’s right for the song and, in turn, what’s right for your soul.” One spin thru and you’ll be thinking yeah, he’s got that down. Rough Time is pretty hot stuff.
HOT TRACKS: Rough Time, Daddy Was A Bluesman, Hard Rain
SUNDOWN RISING Denise La Grassa (independent) *** ½
This is La Grassa’s sophomore release. Following 2023’s The Flame, Sundown Rising is a funkified blues adventure with her impressive voice- almost too pretty for the blues-making the intention of her songs crystal clear.
As a sassy 5 year old, Denise went door to door in her Chicago neighborhood offering to sing and sell songs she’d written to her neighbors for 25 cents. Much later, she revitalized the music program at Lincoln College in central Illinois. The closing of that school led, in turn, to fulfilling the dream of a career in music as a songwriter and performer with her first album. She calls it her ‘north of 40’ journey, as in “can a woman… say north of 40… follow her dream?” Yep, she can.
The blues, roots, rock and soul inspirations are apparent on Sundown Rising, with an undercurrent of jazz making everything move and swing. The title track is an historical nod to sundown towns, where life happens after dark. None of Your Business is a sassy swipe at social media, at politicians in Good Rule Makers, and nitpickers (you know who you are) with Quit Your Whining. This is a fresh take on the blues that you really should hear.
HOT TRACKS: None Of Your Business, Key To The Highway, Good Rule Makers
MY BAD SIDE WANTS A GOOD TIME The Paul Benjaman Band (Horton Records) ****+
Imagine ZZ Top if JJ Cale had joined- that’s the vibe on The Paul Benjaman Band’s new record My Bad Side Wants A Good Time. It’s Texas meets Tulsa with groove and swagger. .
Some songs were recorded in Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned and operated by Leon Russell. “I wanted to make a record encompassing the sound coming out of that historic studio in its glory days” Paul says. “Now, when I listen back, it also echoes the diverse sounds once heard during the glory days of rock & roll radio.” As a fan of radio in those days I agree; there’s a diversity of sound and feel on Bad Side that I really dig.
As a guitarist Paul Benjaman has performed with Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson and John Densmore to name a few. He was tutored by legendary country guitar player Junior Brown, who he says “convinced me that I could play all styles of music and eventually incorporate them into my performances. My style is an attempt to pay tribute to those who inspired me while attempting to blaze a new path forward.” This is a path we should follow with him.
HOT TRACKS: Church of Space & Time, Outlaw Land, Old Rock House
