Max Baker and Jim McClaren, two experienced and well known St. Louis musicians bring the blues alive in this collection performed and recorded live at the Tap Room here in St. Louis. Joe Pastor, Bill Murphy and Tom Maloney round out the group and bring a blend of blues and roots, hard-driving rock rhythms and honky-tonk piano into the mix.

1. THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN (Brian O’Neal) soulful lead vocals

2. NECROMONICA (Richard Newell) the keys, harp and guitar ring out!

3. CROSSROADS BLUES (Robert Johnson) classy cover gave off a Clapton type feel

4. BUSINESS MAN (Willie Dixon) percussion and electric guitar stood out

5. BLUE MIDNIGHT (Blue Midnight) keys and harp with a slow groove made it my favorite track

6. GOOD THING (Oliver Sain) nice cover of a St. Louis legend

7. MOTHER FUYER (B.B. King) starts slow but gets better throughout

8. LIGHTIN’ (Carlos Santana) just wanted that guitar to strike a little more lightnin’

9. WHY GET UP (B.Carter/R.Ellsworth) least favorite, just didn’t do anything for me

10. WAMMER JAMMER-HARD DRIVIN MAN (Juke Joint Jimmy/J.Geils) harp gets you grooving!

My favorites on this disc were Necromonica, Crossroads Blues, Blue Midnight and Wammer/Jammer-Hard Drivin Man. Max Baker’s vocals and guitar are polished, Jim McClaren’s harmonica rings true and keeps your foot stomping and wanting to hear more. As they state in their linear notes, “it’s music from the crossroads of America, from some place like St. Louis”. This is an enjoyable cd for any blues lover. I give this disc 4 out of 5 on the STLBluesometer rating. Go check them out yourself and support the blues right here in old St. Lou!

Band bio information right here!

UJ Miller