|  By
Cornbread
 The
Piping Hot Buttery Biscuits of Blues –
Allow To Cool Serve Immediately
{2004 | 12 Bar Record Company}
The
Biscuits (as they refer to themselves) are:
Dave Mulford (guitar, vocals & harp), Larry
Cowsert (bass & vocals) & Rex Cruzen
(drums & backing vocals). If you’ve
seen these three seasoned bluesmen live you’ll
appreciate their talent, humor and zest for
the moment. If you haven’t heard the
Biscuits live your in for a mouth waterin’
treat. This CD is all first takes of a recorded
rehearsal, there is some craziness but above
all some meaty blues morsels that are more than
pleasing to the pallet. Note these first takes
are just the Biscuits, no effects and no overdubbing.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing the
Biscuits live as well as talking and jamming
with them at the studio.
1. Cross Cut Saw (Albert King)
– Dave says it’s the Sweet Alabama
of blues. This version is closer to Tab Benoits
take of the song, it has a zydeco feel especially
with Rex clicking on the rims.
2. Don’t Burn Down the Bridge
(Otis Clay) – the intro is Larry playing
treble bass before Dave chimes in with his waling
guitar licks.
3. Help the Poor (B.B. King)
– its more of a funky rumba blues kinda
like the Robben Ford take on the song. It’s
classic blues, the bass is staccato and the
guitar solo is flat out.
4. Make Your Mind Up (Tab Benoit)
– Dave really likes this song, he said
it’s just a fun song. The Biscuits use
it as a show opener.
5. Matchbox Blues (also Tab
Benoit, see a trend here) – Both Dave
and Larry said it was their favorite song, I’d
agree, it’s mine too. This B Minor blues
is a dynamic syncopated song, one third of the
song is rests. Dave said “man, the song
breathes.” Rex is consistent on this song,
he’s in the pocket.
6. Paint My Mailbox Blue (Taj
Mahal) – this old style electric blues
song is played nice and easy with clean, klinky
guitar. It has the feel of sittin’ on
the front porch swing strummin’ an old
acoustic guitar. I liked the feel of this song,
vocally Dave is right on.
7. Seventh Son (Tab’s
version of the 60’s song) – its
straight blues, Muddy Waters like, stripped
down. Probably getting late in the night, they
start over, Dave comments during the song. It’s
raw, just like live.
8. Thanks A Lot (Otis Clay)
– Larry loves this song, he said it’s
just an awesome song. It’s a bluesy shuffle
with R&B’esque vocals.
9. Tonight, You Belong To Me
– in 1956 two sisters (Patience &
Prudence McIntyre) did this song that Billy
Rose and Lee David wrote in the mid 20’s.
Larry said “it’s silly stupid, we
just started playing it.” Personally a
downer from the other tracks. My guess is if
these guys had sat around and planned songs
that would end up on a recording this woulda’
been skipped.
10. Radio Station Candidate
is follow-up to song 9, just the Biscuits talking
and being goofy.
Songs one through eight are great, number one,
five and six were my favorites. Cornbreads recommendations:
Buy the CD and go see these guys, they play
music for maximum impact to get people up and
get them excited. I expect the Biscuits will
quickly become staples in the St. Louis blues
scene and beyond. Rating 4.63. Buy the CD!
Ciao'
for now, peace.
Peter 'Cornbread'
Cohen, CBP
~
Cornbread@STLBlues.net ~
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