All Night Boogie Band – Shut Your Eyes and See
Self- Released
7 Tracks – 37 minutes
The Burlington, Vermont band first formed in 2021 and won the 2023 Vermont Blues Challenge and represented them at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis where they were a semi-finalist. They have received numerous accolades in the New England area and in 2022 was featured in Relix magazine’s July 2022 issue as an “Artist on the Rise”. This album is the band’s third release following a debut album in 2022.
Jesssica Leone is the lead vocalist and adds percussion. Guitarist Brendan Casey, bassist Evan Barker, drummer Zach Santos with Brendan Casey playing piano and organ are the main musicians in the band. They are joined on a few tracks by Sam Atallah and Connor Young on trumpet, Jon McBride on tenor sax, and Avery Cooper on baritone sax.
The group starts out with a tight acapella recital advising “You’ve only got one life, and you’ve got to see it through” and “Keep on Rolling” before the guitar kicks in and get things rocking with fervent high-energy. “I won’t give up and this world keeps on turning.” A definite rousing start guaranteed to get you moving. They move on into a slower, reflective “Always on My Mind” that will bring to mind old time R&B songs. “Nothing compares to having you in my arms.” Avery’s sax shines in the middle of the song. “I Think They Called It Peace” continues another soft, smooth reflection noting that “You can find it in a sadder place, somewhere out of reach. There is so much hate in this world, it breaks my heart to see. Some of us look away, trying not to hear their pleas.” Jessica questions, “Are you just going to stand there and watch it all burn away.” Van’s organ underscores the song, and Brendan’s guitar increases in sound as Jessica wails for our attention in the end.
“If You’re Blue and Lonesome” opens with a tinkling piano as Jessica sings “When your heart needs mending, here I am “. “if you are all alone, I will be there.” “Sit right down and share your heart with me”. Van continues with some fine piano playing before leading into a guitar solo from Brendan. She assures, “When your soul needs a light, let it shine”. “Stuck in the City (You’re Not Alone)”paints a very gloomy, but descriptive picture as Jessica moans “Stuck in the city, snow’s coming down. Wind blowing lightly, train’s leaving town. Run to the station, crowds passing by. Tired and broken, a man questions why.” “So, when you see someone knocked down, lend them a hand”. Brandon has another excellent guitar solo mid-song. The song extends for 8:15, but it never feels like a jam song, but rather a continuing story with a conclusion “We’re all going to struggle, we’re all going to fall but if we stick together, we can stand tall”.
Ali McGuirk joins in a duet on “Spirits High” in another smooth, emotional pull with Brendan adding some gentle slide. “Will you remember the good times we had with laughter and spirits high”. They conclude with a 6:30 live recording of Slim Harpo’s 1966 classic “Shake Your Hips”, which is their sole move into boogie mode, which is not a criticism, but rather an observation about an expectancy based on the group name.
Jessica demonstrates that she has the pipes and power to handle any song, and the soft edge to bring the tenderness to the more sensitive songs. She is complemented by an obviously talented group of musicians. And all that is built around lyrics that reflect life and develop a story without repetitive verses. “Shut Your Eyes and See” asks you to tune into yourself and really feel what is occurring around us. There is certainly despair in many areas, but there is also joy that can be found if we just reach out to one another.
