The Silvertones
Cruisin'
Jump meets swing in this extremely tasteful inaugural release from the
Silvertones. A powerful rhythm section featuring Brian Wicker on that big
ol' upright doghouse bass and Randy Ball on the skins with some dynamite vocals. Add in Chris Zales on guitar and vocals, and Leo DeLaVega on guitar, and you got yourself a whale of a piece of
Swingin' Jump Blues. Your attention will be demanded throughout each tune from the 1st note. These guys lock together tightly and compliment each other extremely well.
A sultry guitar entry and we're launched into "Sugar Mama"- Ooowee baby- it'll have you
swayin' all the way through. "I Don't Care" has a swingin' tempo that personifies the swing feel of the group! Then it's on to a very complimentary cover of Jimmy Reed's "Big Boss Man." "7 nights To Rock" is gonna have you
Rockin'! Whether it's cuttin' a rug at the Old Dance Hall, at home, or driving down the road. They'll let you unwind a little with "Sneakin' Round Town." Next is an instrumental "Cruisin'" which just about puts you on the beach in the '60's again. Then it's a 1-2-3 punch of swing again with "On Down The Road", "Give Me A Break" and "Treat Me This Way."
A late '50's touch in "Don't Make Me Cry" makes me wish I were slow dancing on a gymnasium floor somewhere with the prom queen. We catch the band singing to a bottle of whiskey on the last cut "Whiskey On The Shelf" and how true their words are!
Although guitar/vocalist Chris Zales is no longer with the quartet, his spot has been more than adequately filled by the guitar virtuoso, Mark Scott, who plays with a fiery vengeance and has the ability to keep an audience captivated with his every note.
If this is any indication, these fellows will be around for a long time
swingin' their way into a lot of top nights spots and music stores. Get a copy!
- Bill "BoneDaddy" Barnett -
Southwest Blues CD Review - August 1999
Current Reviews -
1999 Reviews - available at our store
