Bob Lanza has been a fixture on the Jersey blues scene for as many years as he has been delivering Arnold bread. Last year he retired after more than four decades on the bread route, and now “his business is the blues, and business is good.” On this new CD for MoMojo Records, he has assembled a stellar band, including an old band mate, Vin Mott, who recently moved back to the area from Austin on harp. The rhythm section, Steve Kirsty on bass and Nick Fishman on drums have held down those roles with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, while Nick Conti on horns and Eric Heilner keys round out the band. A shoutout Liam J. Holland for an award winning cover shot which says it all!
The ten cuts listed are split evenly between originals and covers and the opener, “Johnny Jihngo,” which was written by Bob, was released last month as a single, ahead of the full CD. It opens with a swinging drum beat, then a growling sax leads you into the nightlife of a cat who likes to party hard and take no prisoners. Bob’s well worn vocals and stinging guitar bring this character to life and then some. Johnny Copeland (probably better known now as Shemekia’s Dad) penned the next tune, “Cut Off My Right Arm,” and it’s given an inspired treatment here, with Bob singing those lyrics and playing like he means them. “Nicky’s Blues” is an original instrumental that really swings, with the drummer Nick providing a great platform for horn man Nick to solo over, coupled with some solid guitar courtesy of Bob. Next up is an old Don Nix tune recorded by Freddie King called “Same Old Blues,” and the band makes it their own, with Bob again shinning on both guitar and vocals. The turn of the twentith century classic “Drinking Wine Spo Dee O Dee,” by Stick McGhee has been live a staple of many a blues band, and this version literally jumps out of the speakers. Vin adds some lively harmonica to the mix, and for those of you who don’t know, the term Spo Dee O Dee hear means “take whatever small amount of alcohol you have, dump it together and share.” In that spirit, the Boone’s Farm Winos, Uncle Pete and Flying Vince are credited with the background vocals here, and it sounds like they didn’t need much rehearsing to get this party started! The Tom Hambridge penned “Upside of Lonely,” was a great choice, as Bob’s vocals here have a combination of grit and relief that gets the message across. “A Man Like Me,” is another original with Steve weaving a familiar blues bass line under Bob’s impassioned vocals telling the woman in question what she doesn’t want, while it sounds like we could always use more of his great guitar playing. Big Joe Turner’s “Honey Hush,” is another terrific selection, that is polished into a gem by the band, highlighted by some fine soloing by Eric on keyboards and Vinn on the Harp. The original “Fool Song,” sounds like it was born out of many nights of gigs, and watching what goes on in the clubs and bars. It’s a cautionary tale that few will heed. The last tune, also an original, is “Roller Coaster,” has an Allman Brothers feel with some great bass runs from Steve and a great sound coaxed out of the guitar from Bob. They really mesh well together on this instrumental.
If you want to hear the real deal, pick up a copy of this collection of great blues tunes or better yet, see him live. He will be playing the Blue Collar Blues in April and you can find out more at www.boblanza.com.