Bees Deluxe – Smash Hits | Album Review

Bees Deluxe – Smash Hits

Slapping Cats Records

http://www.beesdeluxe.com

13 tracks – 50 minutes

The Boston based band Bees Deluxe has since their first album cited that the band is dedicated to translating 60’s styled Chicago blues into a more modern sound that they have called “acid blues”. The description of their music on their website is too good to pass up – “Hailed as the lovechild of Zappa’s wit, Steely Dan’s sophistication, Pat Metheny’s innovation, and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s raw power”. The album’s title implies a greatest hits album, and it is, although it is not just an outtake of songs from earlier albums but rather a fresh recording of songs with the intent to provide a new “exploration” of the original music. The album consists of several covers, although with a definite extra spin from the band and new versions of songs that the band determined were their fan’s favorites and some that the band just thought was fun to play. The songs are a mixture of live and studio recordings.

The band consists of Carol Band on keyboards, Conrad Warre on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Paul Giovine on drums and Adam Sandowski on bass. Carol cites her interest in jazz and blues occurred after B.B. King bought her a drink at a Cambridge, Massachusetts music venue. She cites Bill Evans, Ray Charles and John Medeski as her influences. British born co-band leader Conrad toured Europe with bands such as The English Beat, Joe Jackson, and The Specials. Paul studied music at the Berklee College of Music and has played with Keb Mo. Adam previously toured with post-punk rockers Horsehands. Numerous guest performers are listed as playing on the album without reference to what instruments are played or tied to any particular songs.

The album opens with a cover of Fenton Robinson’ s “Somebody Loan Me A Dime”. Conrad’s moody guitar and strong vocals leads the song with Carol’s organ underscoring the song. “When Is Yesterday” launches with some jazzy piano and smooth guitar as Conrad contemplates things “made by people from outer space” and “the things we eat, or drink turn into thoughts in your head”. Conrad pulls out the harmonica in the latter part of the song. Another slow song, Conrad declares he is the “King of Bad Luck”, as he notes that “once upon a time I was lucky, once upon a time I was fortunate…sorrow follows me home”.

“Beer” is the sole song included on this album from the group’s 2018 debut album, Voice of a Dog. The harmonica is a central part of the song as he says “I know you, but I need a beer. It is dark outside, but I need a beer.” and proceeds to cite many other circumstances where he needs a beer. “Blues For the Decline of Western Civilization” is a solid blues instrumental. “Nitro” ups the energy as he says, “When I was cold you warmed me up, when I was warm you cooled me down”. “You fill me up with nitroglycerine, you lit my fuse and blew me up”.

“How To Play 96 Tears” is an instrumental composition by Carol featuring her piano with no seeming connection to the Question Mark and The Mysterians song. A cover of Robert Cray’s “Bad Influence” is followed by a cover of Otis Rush’s “Homework”, both cast in the band’s unique sound. He then lays out a plan to “Kidnap” her as he will be watching her “wherever she goes”.

“Crank Part 2” gets some funk going in another instrumental with Carol throwing in some synthesizer in the mix. Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog (The Way You Treated Me)” is given a traditional approach with a bit of a Bee’s spin. The album concludes with a final instrumental, “Gee Whiz”.

The intermix of Conrad’s guitar with Carol’s keyboards definitely gives many of the songs a touch of Steely Dan, although definitely staying in the blues line. As cited in the some of the lyrics, the songs do add a touch of Zappa. But in the end, the album is all comfortable, solid blues with a slight jazzy touch delivered by a smooth, talented band deserving to be heard.

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