Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005

Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005
Label: Severn
Recorded at; Lakewest Recording Studio,
Rhode Island 2004

Blues

Few traditional bluesmen have the swinging elegance and vocal grace of ex-Roomful of Blues frontman Sugar Ray Norcia. And this is his finest solo album, full of warm performances and well-written original tunes. Even when Sugar Ray's grinding out a Chicago shuffle like "I Done Got Wise," both his warm singing and his harp solos create luxurious melodies full of richly sustained notes that carefully underscore the deep emotions that put life in his lyrics. The title cut and "The Last Blues Song" are among his best numbers. The former explores the pain of possible infidelity and the latter is a secular prayer for a better world, set to a spare piano arrangement that gives Sugar Ray room to weave colorful filigrees and wide dynamics into his vocal phrases. He's also got a skillful journeyman Bluetones lineup here, with fellow Roomful alums Doug James and Carl Querfurth on sax and trombone; veteran Handy-nominated Michael "Mudcat" Ward on bass; Neal Gouvin on drums; and on guitar, Paul Size, who comfortably fills the seat formerly held by Ronnie Earl and Mike Welch. They play together with transparent mastery, giving the boss plenty of license to exercise his considerable talents.
By Ted Drozdowski.
**
Sugar Ray Norcia; Vocals, Harmonica),
Paul Size; Guitar,
Anthony Geraci; Piano,
Michael "Mudcat" Ward; Bass instrument,
Neil Gouvin; Drums;
Doug James; Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone,
Carl Querfurth; Trombone.
**
Tracks:
1. Hands Across the Table
2. I Done Got Wise
3. Dark Roads Calling
4. Livin' a Lie
5. Cloud Cover
6. Say You Love Me (Before I Hang up)
7. That's My Desire
8. (I'm Gonna Break Into) Folsom Prison
9. I Wanna Marry You Girl
10. I Won't Leave You Home No More
11. River Stay 'Way From My Door
12. The Last Blues Song
13. End Time
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