Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sam Lay Blues Band: Rush Hour Blues
Sam Lay Blues Band: Rush Hour Blues
ByToday Lay heads up a six-piece band that generates down-and-dirty Chicago blues. At age 64, Lay still has power in those big arms of his, and he's a capable singer to boot. Rush Hour Blues is a rollicking electric blues release with some entertaining songs that deal mostly with women: good women, mean women, cheatin' women, irresistible women, fat women, thin women even self-conscious women.
Though some of the lyrics are politically incorrect ("She's got a pretty face/Somebody ought to try it/Won't be me/I'm on a fat-free diet"), some are downright sensitive ("You want to call a doctor 'bout the shape of your nose/I think you're so fine from your head to your toes").
Know that my wife, who's a fan of Gloria Steinem, says that Rush Hour Blues is her favorite among the dozens of blues CDs I've screened this month. Must be the lyrics aren't all that misogynous.
Most of the 12 cuts rock out in loose Chicago fashion with strong performances by guitarist Larry Burton, pianist/organist Celia Ann Price and harmonica man Greg "Fingers" Taylor.
Rush Hour Blues doesn't offer anything revolutionary, but it'll keep your toes tappin' and even make you chuckle once or twice.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Rush Hour Blues | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Telarc Records
< Previous
Ron Carter: Brazilian Charm
Next >
Ipsis Quest
Comments
Tags
Sam Lay Blues Band
CD/LP/Track Review
Sam Lay Blues
Ed Kopp
Telarc Records
United States
Rush Hour Blues