Robert Ealey with Tone Summer
I Like Music When I Party
(BT1138)
This latest release from the Reverend and
his trusty songwriting companion/guitarist extrordinaire is a good cause for celebration.
Tone Summer has integrated song and songster; the resulting combination is a doggoned near
solid synthesis of musical agility and quintessential Ealey vocals. Through the tunes,
Summer does justice to that indescribable quality of Robert Ealey's craft that makes him
one of the most engaging and fascinating performers ever to set foot in Cow Town. Rather
than carry on a lengthy panegyric detailing all the reasons you should be going out of
your merry way to catch Ealey and Summer live, I'll settle for making you get up and buy
this CD. One reason is Tone Summer. He has a knack for captivating riffs and addictive ax
grinding. He handles the chops with exquisite grace and style. Check out his funky side on
"When The Lights Go Out," a great jam track with some inspired horn work. Tone
is always a joy to listen to, be it live or digital. Another reason is the band. This
ensemble is a great mix of performers. You have Jim Milan (from Doyle Bramhall) on bass,
the famous Johnny Reno on the saxophone and co-production, Danny Cochran (from Anson and
the Rockets) on skins, and Danny Ross on Hammond. Together this crew pumps out one
superior composition after another. They seem to be having a good time on tracks like the
reggae energized "Cristena" and the call to arms (or other areas) tune
"Shake Your Butt." And last but not least, one of the best reasons to hunt this
puppy down and pay your hard earned pesos for it is the man himself: Mr. Robert Bluebird
Ealey. Amazing things come out of Ealey's mouth, whether it is some heartfelt warbling or
some trademark fake harmonica. His vocals embody strong feelings conveying tremendous
amounts of information with the slightest inflection. I don't know how he does it, but it
is an amazing thing to hear. A rollicking good CD and well worth an investment.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 1999
Current Reviews - 1999 Reviews - available at our store
