TOM HUNTER - HERE I GO AGAIN
{Recorded in 2006 at Fuzzy Slippers Studio in St. Paul, MN}

Lead vocal, piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ: Tom Hunter
Drums: Rob Stupka
Bass: Keith Boyles
Saxophone: Peter Vircks
Background vocals: Tonya Hughes, Nesey Davis, Latonius Earl

1 – I Understand You – Solid great into to the album
2 – Imitation Of Love – Terrific piano intro and underpinning for this tune
3 – Here I Go Again – Slowin’ it down but good grove blues
4 – The Night Is A Hunter – Jazzier blues but nicely put together
5 – New York State Of Mind – Earthier than the Billy Joel original and better I’d say
6 – Ever Since The World Began – Upbeat and steady. The group is tighter here
7 – New Coat Of Paint – Nice down and out sound Good mojo here
8 – Basin Street Blues – It’s a classic and they don’t bruise it. So, its a good thing
9 – Tenor Madness – Again a jazzy, this time instrumental blues, and well put together
10 – Nothing’s For Free – Tom writes this title tune and it is a groove, nice organ too
11 – Drown In My Own Tears – Nice job on the Ray Charles tune. Risky but it works
12 – Layin’ In The Alley – Goin’ out with a nice easy groove, very cool, too busy at the ¾ mark

This is a very good set of music. I especially like cuts 6, 10 and 12 but they all deserve to be on their CD. Tom is versatile and, for a white boy from Minnesota, can hit the groove and go home in it. The band is tight. The drummer needs to do less rolls and more chops and it would be better. It’s a Solid 4.3 on the STLBluesometer.

Jim “Gator” Kottmeier
Gator@stlblues.net