Gopher Broke – It’s About Damn Time!!
DBS Records
8 tracks/33 minutes
Gopher Broke and related bands have been around in Detroit for since 1974. There was a 40 year gap in their performing as. Mike Shields moved to Vegas, but he finally moved back to Detroit in 2018. He went looking for the old band mates and reformed the band. He’s the lead singer and band leader of this fun group of musicians.
On guitar is Harold Bourlier. Darryl Clotfelter is on bass and vocals. On drums is Bob Henninger. Sax is handled by Joe Marocco who also sings. Rocco is on trumpet, guitar and vocals On harp and vocals is Mike Shields who penned six of the songs. Marocco and Rocco wote the other two.
“Gopherbroke Boogie” is a slick biographical cut with Gopher Broke telling us about themselves as they lay out a fun boogie. “I Miss You When You Are Gone” continues the rollicking fun, with big guitar, sax and harp adding to the mix. Next is the bouncy “Gotta Get Up,” a swinging mid tempo piece. We get a guitar solo along with harp, sax and trumpet to savor. “Cloud Up And Rain” is a sultry cut with sexy saxophone laying it out for the listener. This one’s a slow blues with some nice horns and harp to flesh out the sound along with some restrained guitar and very greasy harp licks.
“Ain’t That Some Mess” is a cool shuffle with guitar, sax and harp solos to enjoy. “Ten Foot Pole” follows with lots of tasty harp licks. “Going Fishin’” features some gritty lead vocals and nice horm and harp work. They conclude with “True To The Blues,” a jumping cut that pays tribute to the blues greats. A nice guitar solo and then sax solo are offered up.
These guys appear to be having a fun time playing together. It shows in their music. They have some interesting original cuts and the guitar, harp and horns are solid. A local Detroit band, they remain ready to go anywhere they are called to go to play!
