The Joel Dupuis Band – Very Best Fool
Self Released
10 tracks
This London, Ontario band, that was awarded London blues band of the year in 2024, is an electrifying three piece band. They are led by the 2024 London guitar player of the Joel Dupuis and offer up a no-holds barred rocking set of performances. Featuring Joel on guitar and lead vocals, Glenn Kitchen on drums and Mark Shickluna on bass, they are a truly rocking blues band. Joining them on the recording are Jeremy Powell on organs for two cuts, Justin Brown on keys for two, and added guitar by Pat Harrington on another.
“Borrowed Time” opens the album. Strident vocals, driving guitar and pretty keys make this one full and enjoyable. Breathy vocals and a guitar groove are the trademarks on “Mind Games.” Big solo guitar helps sell this cut, too.
“Very Best Fool” offers a slower, driving beat and more hard hitting guitar licks. Then it’s “Big Look” with a driving beat and more stratospheric guitar. Hard hitting tracks to open the album!
Then it’s “February,” where Dupuis and the band gives us a slow number to savor. Big organ on this one also fleshes things out well along with the stinging guitar. “Miss Mary” is up next, and this one drives with heavy guitar and a big groove.
“Persephone” pays homage to a woman I guess Joel compares to the Greek Queen of the underworld and Goddess of the dead, grain, and spring with more standout guitar and rocking good licks. Then we have “So Tired” with the added guitar and a slower little boogie going for it is complex and coolly done.
“Wake Up” gives us both keys and organ on top of the big guitar sound in this slow and solemn cut. It is slow and steady and then builds in complexity and passion until a prolonged fade that takes the listener home. It works. “Goodnight, Good Day, Good evening and Goodbye” finishes up the album. Here we get moving to a more rousing and bouncing cut that mixes down home with British invasion into a slick mix of music.
If you’re a blues rock fan I am sure you will find something in this to enjoy. This is some very heavy, rocking blues along with some more traditional blues blended in here and there; the axe work leaves no prisoners. It’s intense and I think folks will like it!
