OK I usually leave the writing to Honey, but I just finished listening to the new Jason Ricci & New Blood CD….”Rocket Number 9”.  I guess I should start by admitting that I am a Bruce Springsteen fan.  I really fell in love with Bruce when I saw him live for the first time in 1974.  As much as I have enjoyed many of his CD’s, for me they have always paled in comparison to the songs live.  I was concerned that I would have the same reaction to Jason’s CD.  The boys are such strong live performers, that I didn’t think it would be possible to catch the energy on a studio CD.  Well somehow they did.

First, this is not a Blues CD.  Sure, there are blues riffs and beats in some of the songs, and even a couple of songs that could qualify as straight blues, but Jason plays his own inspired blues/rock/jazz mix.  All of the songs except for the finale are written by either Jason or Shawn Stachurski, better known as Starski.  Many of the songs are deeply personal with a theme of struggling, failure and ultimately recovery.  OK for me maybe this is more like Springsteen than I thought, since my favorite songs from him have always had the same theme.  The playing is flawless throughout and Buck Weed and Ron provide all the bass line needed to keep it together, not always an easy feat with Jason and Starski taking off on solos frequently.

The album kicks off with the guitar and harmonic riffs on “The Rocker”.  If you have heard Jason live, you’ve heard this song.  Great bass beat, strong solo’s and Jason’s emotional, heart-felt, dues-paid vocals.  It’s like a conversation in a back alley someplace.  The second song on the CD, “I’m a New Man” sounds autobiographical and is full of hope, joy and rebirth.  The most easily accessible song on the album, it has the feel of the Allman’s Brother’s Blue Sky when Starski and Jason start the instrumental section.  Fun, upbeat and lifting.  Jason’s superb playing will surprise no one who has heard him, and as for Starski, his guitar playing reaches new levels every time I hear him.  The producers of the CD did a great job letting both of these stars shine.

“Loving Eyes” is smooth and soulful, a rare mellow flowing tune from Jason until about half way in, when the beat picks up and the guitar starts wailing and the harp kicks in full speed.  Make sure to check out the liner notes on this one…another great reason to get the CD.  “Dodecahedron” is the rocking jazz instrumental.  Despite the title, “Mr. Satan” has a joyful beat and the big bad Mr. Satan is put firmly in his place.  Is there gospel on the CD? Well not really but “Deliver Us” could be sung in churches across the land.  “The Blow Zone Layer” is fast and furious, get out of your chair and dance, harp playing.  The most blues song on the CD is “The Way I hurt Myself”..slow…painful..and…true.  This is blues from way back down the alley. Popping guitar slicks and harmonica kick off “The Eternal Is” another Starski original crusin’ down the highway and moving fast. “Sonja” is my favorite cut on the CD.  This band has so much energy that it is great to hear them relax and play soft and smooth.  This song is like a summer day in a field of daisies.  The album finishes off with “Rocket Number 9” a song written by Herman Sonny Blount aka Sun Ra.  A fitting finish to this great CD:  powerful, experimental and heading towards new and better things.  Which is exactly where Jason Ricci and New Blood are headed.  About time, and it couldn’t happen to better people.

So what are you waiting for?  You must be at your computer reading this.  Go to www.cdbaby.com and get your copy on the way.  And don’t miss the band when they hit our stage on Friday December 21^st.

                                                                      The Ambassador Of Cool