Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones – Groovin’ at Groove Now! Live in Basel, Switzerland
Endless Blues Records
12 tracks including an Introduction
Doug Deming brought his band from Bradenton, Florida to Basel, Switzerland with three guest artists. This CD is a product of that concert and lucky for us we get to hear what those blues fans heard. This is an exemplary live album with great sound and mixing that showcases the skills of Doug Deming, the Jewel Tones and their musician friends; I knew this was going to be a great album and I was not disappointed!
The band is Doug Deming is on vocals and guitar and the rest of the Jewel Tones are Andrew Gohman on bass and Zack Pomerleau on drums and harmonica. Also featured are Sax Gordon and Terry Hank on saxophones and Bill Heid on keyboards who made the trip to Switzerland with Doug and the boys. This is truly an outstanding ensemble of musicians assembled for this show and CD.
Patrick Kaiser from the club introduces Doug and the band and they then breaks into “East Side Hop,” one of Doug’s superb originals from his 2009 Falling Through the Cracks CD, of which several more songs are included in this set. The band swings and jives as no one else can. It’s a hopping instrumental featuring some superb solos on guitar, sax and piano, and Doug’s phenomenal backline even gets a turn to shine. Next is “Only Time Will Tell” where Doug sings his tale of an angel and a devil on either shoulder trying to steer him, but lucky for him the angel is winning despite the devil tempting him to live in sin. Zack blows some greasy and mean harp for the listener’s pleasure, something we will get to enjoy throughout this album.
“Put It Down” follows; this one is a pretty, slower tempo-ed piece with thoughtful licks by Deming. His guitar work is always impeccable as he flows through the cut. A very nice organ solo is also featured here. “I’m Ready” is the next track, a rocking and bopping Fats Domino tune where Doug and band take the listener on a wild ride. His guitar blazes, Gordon’s horn blares and the groove is fast and furious. “Oh Baby” features some more superb harp work from Pomerleau as Doug tells his women she’ll miss him when he’s gone. Zack displays his harp proficiency with flair as he blows us away with his solos and work here. Deming tries to coax his woman not to leave at the end and Zack takes us home is an excellent performance of a Willie Dixon classic that Little Walter made famous.
‘Every Night When Get Home” is a beautiful, slow blues where Deming croons out the lyrics with great feeling. Deming captivates the listener with his performance here. “Bloodshot Eyes” changes things up as the band revs up it’s engine and goes full throttle. Gordon blows some great stuff and Deming plays hot and pretty licks on guitar that leave the listener breathless. This one is originally a country song but Deming makes it his own with his rocking and grooving performance. Next is the fun cut “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool” and here Hanck get s a turn soloing before Pomerleau gets his turn and again blows us away. Deming follows with his own delightful solo before the band takes us home.
“No Sense” is up next, another great track Deming has taken on the road many a time to the fan’s delight. He lectures his woman about her lack of thoughtfulness in this slower jump blues. We get some slick piano and guitar soloing to savor in this track. “An Eye For An Eye” is a deep, slow blues that hearkens back to Chicago. This one is from Doug’s great CD What’s It Gonna Take from 2012. Dirty harp, piano and guitar blend into a classic sound that brings the listener deep into the South Side of the Windy City. Pomerleau again impresses with his stalwart harp work. They conclude with “Whisper,” a sweet jump blues done as only Doug can as he coaxes his woman to get closer so he can whisper in her ear. Hanck gives us a final solo and then Heid takes over on the organ for some more outstanding stuff. Pomerleau and Deming later give us their final solos and the concert comes to a great finish as the crowd goes wild.
Eight original songs and three covers make up the set produced from this amazing live performance from Switzerland. This is Doug Deming at his best. He and band are on fire here and one can tell the audience was appreciative of their effort. Featuring one of the best back lines in the business with Gohman and Pomerleau, they offer the listener a fantastic set of performances. Couple that with three outstanding all-star guest musicians and this become an album that every blues fan needs to add to their collection. This CD certainly will garner attention as a worthy award album!
