The longtime backup band to Taj Mahal known as The Phantom Blues Band has
probably logged as many miles as any band on the road today. Lead vocalist
and keyboardist Mike Finnigan, to name just one member, has been a member
of the backup bands of Mahal, Etta James, Stephen Stills, CSN, and many other
artists.
However, The Phantom Blues Band has finally stepped out on its own, and the results are as pleasing those released by any of the above artists. Out Of The Shadows, now in record stores, reveals that these musicians are more than capable of star status in their own rights.
In addition to Finnigan, Phantom features bassist Larry Fulcher, drummer Tony Braunagel, guitarist Denny Freeman, trumpeter Darrell Leonard, saxophonist Joe Sublett, and guitarist Johnny Lee Schell, who was the longtime fretboard man for Bonnie Raitt who takes on about half the lead vocal chores here.
This new album, produced by the John Porter, consists of mainly covers, but it's clear Phantom knows how to picks some pretty good songs that slipped through the cracks. Highlights include Jack Tempchin and Bobby Whitlock's "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed?" which has a hilarious lyric and great lead vocals by the vastly underrated Finnigan, who also shines on one of this great live tunes, "Part Time Love"; opener "Do The Dirt" with vocals by Schell; and two set-closing bonus tracks, including Finnigan's "Baby Doll."
The real revelation here, if you haven't gotten the picture yet, is Finnigan, who should have been a star only about 35 years ago. He played B3 on Jimi Hendrix' "Electric Ladyland," but through much of his career he's been an incredible vocalist and nonpareil keyboard master. Here, he offers his first recorded vocal work in many years, and it's clear that after many fits and starts in his long career – his work with Finnigan/Wood and The Finnigan Dudek Kruger Band, not to mention his solo albums, was sadly overlooked – he's as good as any blues vocalist working today.
And Out Of The Shadows is also as good as any blues album released this year.
It's available wherever records are sold.
– Syl Nathan
Big
Daddy & The Bulldogs will celebrate their 200th edition of their "Sizzlin'
Saturday Night Jam at Tailgators in Patchogue on Saturday, June 30 with an event
starting time of 8 pm. The evening will be a benefit for Save-A-Pet of Port
Jefferson. The schedule will include raffles, drink specials, and a roast of
Karl "Big Daddy" Reamer by what promoters are billing as a "famous
comedian." The Bulldogs will hit the stage at 10 pm … The Kerry Kearney
Band will also soon observe a milestone as being a working unit for 10 years.
On Saturday, August 25 at 7 pm and 9 pm, The Kerry Kearney Band will be the
focal point of two free "Giving It Back To Our Friends and Fans Concerts"
at the Vail-Leavitt Theater in Riverhead. The tickets for these shows will be
free and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Those who would
like to attend this show and obtain tickets should send an email message to
DwazMail@aol.com; list the preference
of which show you would like to attend. Those who are selected will received
a detailed confirmation email.
