Patrick Vining
Ready Right Now
(JSPCD2124)
This new JSP debut release from Vining and
the Blue Sharks has tremendous appeal. The compositions are solid. The vocals are smooth
and unique. The spotlights are merited and flawless. Most of this will come as no surprise
to anyone familiar with a Jimmy Morello production: he knows what sounds good and he knows
how to get an artist to put their best foot forward. If you want evidence of that
vaticination, pop this puppy in the CD player and have a listen to toe thumping tracks
like "One Heartbeat" or "She's So Nice." Vining is a good vocal
presence and his ensemble makes the kind of ear pleasing, barn burning, joyful noise that
you pay good pesos to hear out in club land. There's something for everyone here, from big
band swing to honey roasted funk to honky tonk blues. The boys handle the mix with style
and flavor. All but one of the songs are written by Vining and guitarist Jim Ransone. It's
an irenic collaboration that lends itself to the medium. There's some great guitar work on
the tune "Spending Cash" and "I Need Help." And who among us doesn't
enjoy great sax when we can get it? There's some fantastic sax on "I Don't Want No
Broken Heart." Tom Mahon turns in a great performance on this disk. I can't say
enough good things about Mahon's ivory tickling. I enjoy his work every time I hear it and
he is not wasted here. Listen to him tear it up on "Give It Everything You've
Got." Morello's meritorious devotion to the overall quality of the work is apparent
in each of the eleven tracks. "Good tone" as they say. A text book case of good
music.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - June 1999
Current Reviews -
1999 Reviews - available at our store
