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 By
Cornbread
 RONDO’S
BLUES DELUXE – SHACK PAPPY’S
{Released 1996 St. Louis, MO | Blueberry Hill
Records}
As
of this review, this is the 3rd CD from RBD.
All songs are written by Rondo except "Black
Night" (Willie Dixon), "Fever"
(Little Willie John) and "Working Undercover"
(Dennis 'Chicago Slim' Lansing).
Rondo is one of those cats that has become a
staple in the St. Louis blues scene from his
beginnings with the Soulard Blues Band to his
hugely successful solo career spanning over
25 years. Rondo sings with a ton of feeling
and mojo, in a way I am reminded of John Belushi
from the old Saturday Night Live doing his Joe
Cocker imitation. (Rondo, I mean that in a good
way in that you put your body and all your emotions
into your singing.)
The
tracks [from first to last]
1. Shack Pappy's – deep, raspy vocals
have become Rondo’s trademark sound, this
is a fine example of that plus we get harmonica
and backing vocal fills.
2. Sweet, Sweet Whiskey (No Mo) –
hey Rich nice slide and mighty tasty solo, slower
than most of Rondo’s stuff.
3. Welcome Back, Heartbreak – Chicago
blues got nothing on this rooty St. Louie Blues
track, this is abundantly rich in mojo.
4. Blues Train – all aboard, the
Rondo’s Blues Deluxe is pulling out (“Cornbread”,
you say “what does that mean?” I dunno,
just going with the train theme.) Umm, let’s
see, great guitar playing and killer vocals,
would you expect anything less from these guys?
5. Childhood Sweethearts – plenty
of piano, strong bass, oh and Rondo singing
his guts out on this slower tune.
6. Working Undercover – excellent
version
7. Fever – a bit jazzy.
8. Black Night – another jazzy tune.
I liked the sax and piano. Willie Dixon songs
are everywhere.
9. St. Louis Blues #2 – now this
is the blues, if STLBlues #2 is this good, I
can’t wait for #3.
10. In My Room – if you’re
expecting the Beach Boys song with the same
name, sorry. Rondo presents a bluesy ballad
which kinda sounds like Joe Cocker, hmmm?
 The
band [from left to right]
Dennis 'Chicago Slim' Lansing • Sax
Jack Inglis • Keys
Jeff Myers • Drums
Craig Thornton • Bass
Rich McDonough • Lead & Slide Guitar
The
hairy dude [in front]
Rondo • Vocals & Harmonica
Those
involved in this project [not pictured]
Ingred Berry • Background Vocals on songs
1 & 7
Marsha Evans • Background Vocals on song
5
Ptah Williams • Piano on song 7
Vince Sala • 2nd Saxophone
This is a high intensity blues album, not advisable
for the weak. I liked it, yes siree bob. Someone
say “yea”. Rating 4.337.
Ciao'
for now, peace.
Cornbread
Cornbread@stlblues.net
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