Harp player and vocalist Rob Stone turns in a fine new album grounded in his love for Chicago blues. Gotta keep rollin’ features twelve tracks, split evenly between originals and covers, which display Stone’s smooth voice and mastery of the blues harp.
Surrounded by Chris James on guitar and Patrick Rynn on bass, his bandmates from the C-Notes, Stone and company strut their stuff, demonstrating the sort of synchronicity that only comes from playing together for two decades.
“Move Baby Move,” written by Billy Emerson seems to define the theme on this release, which feels designed to get the listener on the dance floor. In fact this record would make a great party album for that reason.
While six of the tracks are worthy covers, it is on the original compositions that Stone and band seem to shine the brightest. The new material liberates the band to carry the Chicago style into new territory while staying true to its form. “Lucky 13” features a thumping bass line over which Stone’s smooth voice rides with ease, and sets the stage for harp and guitar solos which complement each other nicely. This is followed by some funky sax work by Eddie Shaw on “Anything Can Happen,” a danceable tune that seems straight out of the 50s. “Wired and Tired” is an excellent picture of a man who “Don’t need hypnotizing, I just need some sleep.” Stone’s protagonist can’t seem to slow down and the only thing that keeps him running is his open tab at the coffee shop. Overall this is a wonderful blues album, and a mighty good time.
Surrounded by Chris James on guitar and Patrick Rynn on bass, his bandmates from the C-Notes, Stone and company strut their stuff, demonstrating the sort of synchronicity that only comes from playing together for two decades.
“Move Baby Move,” written by Billy Emerson seems to define the theme on this release, which feels designed to get the listener on the dance floor. In fact this record would make a great party album for that reason.
While six of the tracks are worthy covers, it is on the original compositions that Stone and band seem to shine the brightest. The new material liberates the band to carry the Chicago style into new territory while staying true to its form. “Lucky 13” features a thumping bass line over which Stone’s smooth voice rides with ease, and sets the stage for harp and guitar solos which complement each other nicely. This is followed by some funky sax work by Eddie Shaw on “Anything Can Happen,” a danceable tune that seems straight out of the 50s. “Wired and Tired” is an excellent picture of a man who “Don’t need hypnotizing, I just need some sleep.” Stone’s protagonist can’t seem to slow down and the only thing that keeps him running is his open tab at the coffee shop. Overall this is a wonderful blues album, and a mighty good time.
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