The Oozie Blues Show is a band made up of veteran blues musicians. These musicians have performed as sidemen to some of the biggest names in blues and rhythm and blues, including; Ray Charles, James Brown, Big Joe Turner, Percy Mayfield, Barry White, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Hollywood Fats, Lowell Fulsom, Percy Mayfield, The Drifters The Coasters and The Sherells. They play authentic blues and rhythm and blues with soul. They are some of the last musicians to have played in The South Central Blues Scene.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Blues music is the most influential form of American roots music. It's heard around the world in jazz, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, gospel, country. The blues is a national historic treasure, that needs to be preserved, studied, and documented for the future.

This self-titled, debut CD by The Oozie Blues is rough, raw and full of energy. It is packed full of familiar blues tunes played with genuine enthusiasm. The band is both electric and eclectic.

These guys are the Real Deal. Most of the vocals are sung by an L.A. bluesman who goes by "Mr. Blues". His smooth laid back voice can be heard on tracks like: The Blues Are Alright, The Next Time You See Me and Steppin In/Steppin Out. The slow blues tune Open House at My House tells a sad blues tale of a cheating woman with a set of lyrics that will have you laughing your blues away.

Mitch "Ham Bone" Hammond's lead and slide guitar work is featured throughout. He steps forward and sings lead vocal on; Little Red Rooster, Stop Breakin Down and Crosscut Saw. He sings with a tenor shout that makes for a good contrast to Mr. Blues vocals. The bandleader/bassist, Norm Pingrey, handles the lead vocals on Built For Comfort and Sleepin In the Lyons Den. He sings bass in style comparable to John Lee Hooker and Howlin Wolf. By rotating the vocal duties among the members the CD really kept my interest. The rhythm section of Norm and Bob Winn is very tight and hard driving. Mr. Blues piano playing is simple, yet affective. The guitar is up front in the mix and hot. He is not another Stevie Ray Vaughan clone. He has his own style but I if one must compare his style to some other guitarist Mick Taylor comes to my mind.

I could tell that this CD was recorded live in studio and not an elaborate studio production. I believe that this band probably sounds the same at their club gigs. I am looking forward to their next release to see how they do with writing their own material and to see if they can raise the production quality a notch.

The Oozie Blues will be recording most of the month of April, making a new CD of originals, which will also be videotaped. The video and CD will be available in June 2003.

Review courtesy of Thaddeus Marx