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Blues Underground Network Featured Review- Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys "Sweet Thing" (UK) |
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"Sweet Thing" marks the 2nd CD release I have received from Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys, the first being their critically acclaimed EP "Salt Glazed Blues", of which I wrote, "Salt Glazed Blues is an absolute hit, with four dynamite tracks, two originals and two covers that will only leave you wanting more... Cry Baby and The Hoochie Coochie Boys deliver us Blues/Rock the way it was meant to be delivered, straight ahead, no prisoners taken." "Salt Glazed Blues" made it onto my Year End Review 2009 as Best European Blues Album (EP). "Sweet Thing" is their follow up Debut release and had no problem becoming my choice for Best Debut Album (Band) (UK) on my Year End Review 2011. Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys, is a band which hails out of Stoke-On-Trent, also called The Potteries, a city in Staffordshire, England, and consists of Graham Sells (Vocals/Guitar), Rob Wilkinson (Harmonica/Vocals), Vince Cutcliffe (Guitar), John Davies (Keyboards), Trevor Pinson (Bass) and Andy Carr (Drums). Joining the band for this album on Keyboards, for 9 of the Tracks, was Freddie Pirotta. They classify themselves as a six piece dance floor rhythm and blues band. The individual members of the band have all played in different bands over the years, but have really formed a strong bond, as Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys, mainly due to their strong love of the Blues. Consisting of 12 Tracks, with the 12th Track actually being a Live Bonus Track, "Sweet Thing" pretty well takes off where "Salt Glazed Blues" left off, using the exact format of half originals and half covers. Of the 6 originals all but one are solely written by Graham Sells, with 1 co-written by Graham Sells and fellow band member Rob Wilkinson. I was pleased to see the format they used to present the songs was 1 original followed by 1 cover, throughout the album. I was also pleased to see 3 of the 4 Tracks from their EP on this album, that included "Don't Lie To Me Baby", which was not only my favorite Track on that EP, but it was also one of my favorite songs for 2009. It is simply one of those songs that I wish would never end and one in which highlights Graham Sells unique Gravely Bluesy Voice to perfection. "Sweet Thing" starts off with the title Track, a Graham Sells original laced with a John Lee Hooker riff. This is a great opener to "Sweet Thing". My favorite of course was "Don't Lie To Me Baby", and it came in as Track 3. "Don't Lie To Me Baby", really showcases all the band members on "Sweet Thing", as good as any other song on the album. Another favorite original was Track 7 "Ain't Nothin' But The Blues", which is a gritty slow tribute to several Blues greats including BB King and Muddy Waters. Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys also chose a half dozen great covers that really complemented their style, of which a few of my favorites were, Track 6 Elmore James guitartastic, "Wild about You Baby", Track 8 Willie Dixon's "I Want To Be Loved", and Track 10, J B Lenoir's nonstop peddle to the metal, "Gimme One More Shot", the fastest tempo song on "Sweet Thing". All in all, "Sweet Thing" is really a nonstop Bluesfest with a little tinge of Rock thrown in for good measure. Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys not only really know that how to perform theirs and others music, they also know how to get a sense that they are really enjoying what they are doing, as well. As far as Debut albums are concerned in the Genre of Blues/Rock, Cry Baby And The Hoochie Coochie Boys have really managed to continue the excitement that was generated via their EP, "Salt Glazed Blues". I really can't imagine them putting out a better album than "Sweet Thing", but I am certain they will sure try. 5***** Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed... A Superb Debut Release... Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Listen To Samples Here... Additional Artist Info Here... http://www.crybabyhoochiecoochieboys.com/
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