Mike Dangeroux – 15 Shades of Blue
RD Records
15 songs – 70 minutes
One of the busiest musicians in Chicago, virtuoso guitarist Mike Dangeroux has tantalized listeners by releasing an interesting EP, Empty Chair, in the past year in addition to fronting his own blues band, 11-piece show band and reggae ensemble. But it will be difficult for him to top this beefy, deeply azure blues-rock effort.
A graduate of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Mike paid his dues working behind a host of Windy City treasures, including A veteran Chicago blues artist Koko Taylor, J.W. Williams, Nellie Tiger Travis, Buddy Guy Mississippi Heat. And he’s as talented behind the scenes in the recording studio – as this CD shows.
In addition to producing and engineering this set, which was captured at the city’s Maplewood Studios, Dangeroux handled all guitar, bass and vocals here with a major assist from co-producer Vince Varco, who handled keys, strings and horns. Drummer Daron Casper Walker keeps the beat along with percussionist Eddie Mason. If your tastes run toward smoky and original unhurried tasty ballads dealing with love, loss and redemption, all of which is delivered with an always-in-control bite, you’re in for a treat.
Mike’s pleasant, slightly raspy voice announces he’s got the “Blues Deep in My Soul” with the intro and first full tune that open the set. He states his inability to break there hold atop a rock-steady shuffle beat while his guitar runs soar. It’s something that remains consistent in what follows. His brief, tasty six-string runs set up the pleasant “Palm of My Hand,” an unhurried love song in which he rejoices every time his woman is near and that he always will give her everything come what may.
The action heats up a little for the medium-fast “Walking Out That Door,” which finds Dangeroux watching on as his lady packs her suitcase, remembering the good times and suffering with loneliness and grief as she says goodbye. His agony comes to the fore as he hears “Ghosts of the Past” whispering his name. He hardens himself from the pain as he walks the streets during “Heart of Stone” before the mood sweetens as he vows he’ll “Never Be Lonely” again.
Mike’s celebrating again with a new partner in “Day and Night Lover.” He’s now living in a kingdom of dreams where he plans to stay. The celebration comes to a quick halt in “No More Bad News” as he finds himself overwhelmed by the torment around him. He finds himself caught in the currents in a sea of blues in “Tides of Love” before finally finding joy in the speedy “She Can’t Stop Rocking.”
The emotional roller coaster continues in “Where Are My Friends Tonight,” which finds some of them behind bars, before “Midnight Sky” echoes his struggle. “Doing to Me” follows as Dangeroux copes with romantic struggles atop a bittersweet beat before the album ends optimistically with “(Hope You) Feel the Same.”
Buy a ticket and enjoy the ride. I did.
