2022 – Adam Gussaw and
Roderick Patterson
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 10, 2022
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I was quite enamored with Come
Together the debut album from Sir Rod & The Blues Doctors when I
reviewed it a couple of years ago. I have
the same opinion regarding their latest album Keeping it in the Family. It’s a live thirteen track delight featuring
new original songs, fresh covers, and past favorites. Front-man and vocalist Sir Rod is Roderick
Patterson. He is the nephew of New
York blues legend Sterling Magee aka Mr. Satan from the critically-acclaimed
blues duo Satan & Adam. University
of Mississippi professors Adam Gussaw and Alan Gross
form the Blues Doctors. Gussaw
(Satan & Adam) brings his amazing harmonica playing to the trio and Mississippi
bluesman/cigar box guitar luthier Alan Gross (Terry “Harmonica” Bean)
brings his guitar mastery.
Kicking the record off, in a
feel-good style, is Big Joe Turner’s classic “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”. It rolls right into an exuberant performance
of the Satan & Adam song “Seventh Avenue”. Sir Rod’s smokey vocals sound fabulous
as Gussaw ignites the flame on this funky blues track with his harp. It’s an absolute favorite. Spirits remain elevated as they skillfully
perform a blues transfusion on James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. A heart-felt tribute is paid to Mr. Satan
on a Sir Rod original called “Brother Sterling”. Afterward, Gussaw and Gross break
into a smokin’ funky performance on instrumental “Thunky Fing Rides Again”. It made me happy that they added a live
version of the title track to their debut album, “Come Together”. This song about peace and love is a song
everyone should give a listen to. The listener
is transported to the Mississippi Delta for a soulful remake of Bobby Gentry’s
“Ode to Billy Joe”. It’s
outstanding. Bringing the album to its
close in full-on-party mode, they cover Clifton Chenier’s 1977 release “Hot
Tamale Baby”. This zydeco-turned-blues side
is a certified shindig.
Sir Rod and the Blues
Doctors have captured lightning in a
bottle once again with Keeping it in the Family. With a chemistry which stretches beyond the
music, this band puts a smile on my face with every listen.
—
PhillyCheeze’s review for Sir
Rod & The Blues Doctors – Come Together
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2020/09/462-sir-rod-blues-doctors-come-together.html
For more information about Sir Rod & The Blues
Doctors, visit this website :
http://www.sirrodandthebluesdoctors.com
This terrific album is
available in the PhillyCheeze Amazon Store.
*As an Amazon Associate,
I earn from qualifying purchases.
