From the label - Basowski Records - to the packaging,
adequate but obviously not done with a big budget - it's eminently
apparent that "Good Thing" is an indie release. But while cheap
and easy recording has resulted in far too many 'vanity projects'
of late, in this case it means honest, no-frills music of the
highest caliber. With the bulk of the tracks written by the band -
the twin guitars of Michael John (Basowski) on rhythm and Howard
"Preacher" Ward on lead, augmented by Eddie Zelaznik's sax,
Hammond/Piano from Harlan Spector, with bassist Chuck Lee Basowski
and drummer Tom Broderick holding things together - this is a
meat-and-potatoes outing, unpretentious and real.
Michael sings with a huge dose of blue-eyed soul, amply evident
on the disc's opener, "Angel Muffin." Driven by Mr. Zelaznik's
sax, it's anchored by burbling organ that adds immeasurably to its
rhythmic drive. The changes in "Dirty Tricks" (stop-time to
reverse-shuffle, with a few extra surprises) show significant
songwriting craft, giving the boys a chance to exhibit some tight
ensemble playing. "It's a Good Thing," sort of a cross between
country and R&B, shows Michael's no slouch on harp. The band's
take on John Hiatt's "Feels Like Rain" (surely one of the most
frequently covered songs of the last few years), while adequate,
doesn't really add anything to the tune, but "Gonna Stay The
Same," a grinder propelled by snarling slide, again shows the band
capable of much more than recycling the same-old-same-old.
"Understanding Woman," taken at a breakneck pace, is a short,
perfect blast of slide-driven shuffle. The medium tempo "The Way
That I Do," has an irresistibly breezy beat. Mr. Ward's "Blues
Party" won't win any poetry awards, but could get even the dead to
dance; the rhumba-flavoured "All Hell's Breaking Loose" is equally
catchy. "How 'Bout You" is as much rock as blues, but with its
determined optimism it's unlikely even purists will be offended.
"Another Bridge To Cross" is a smoky ballad, again not "pure
blues," but gut wrenching in its emotional intensity nonetheless.
"You Can, You Can," another shuffle (more or less, but more more
than less) lays down a challenge to an errant lover; things wrap
up with "My Baby's Sweeter," with Michael laying down more fine if
unspectacular harp over a throbbing foundation.
Michael is a powerful, gutsy vocalist, the band is uniformly
excellent, and production is top-notch, with clear highs and deep
bottom. The arrangements avoid cliché; indeed, there's almost as
much blue-collar rock as there is blues (technically, anyway), but
it's all done with a great deal of energy, and somehow just feels
bluesy. Purists may think it strays too far, but anyone who
doesn't mind a bit of rock in the mix, and those who are looking
for something beyond the standard progressions, will find much to
like indeed. A fine effort, highly recommended!
Michael John
P.O. Box 782, Simi Valley, CA 93062
E-Mail:
michaeljohn1@roadrunner.com
Web:
www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com
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