The Name Droppers – Let’s Live Together
Self Released
10 tracks/37 minutes
The Name Droppers were founded by the late Connecticut based Charlie Karp and continue with this release of their sixth album. Mixing some interesting originals and fun covers, they are a tight band.
On guitar is Rafe Klein who also writes songs. Ron Rifkin is on piano, Bobby “T” Torrello is on drums, and Scott Spray is on bass. Simone Brown fills out the vocals with some nice backing vocals. Rifken and Klein share lead vocals and Brown and Torrello each front the band for a song. Crispin Cioe is on sax for a half of the tracks.
They begin with the light hearted and fun “Grey Haired Blues,” nice little song about getting old. Some honky-tonk piano and sax add to the mix and the guitar solo is well done. “Let’s Live Together” is a call to people to get along. A little funky, the song has a good groove and a little sax for fun. The keys and backing vocals flesh things out well.
“Heartbreak City” is a slick number with another sweet little groove going. The sax and organ are well done and a stinging guitar solo is offered up. “Chain of Fools” is next, was recorded live and has Brown leading the cut. She sings with passion and does an outstanding job! An organ solo is also there to enjoy, but it’s Simone’s vocals here that sell this one.
Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Someone” features Kevin Monroe and Devotion, a great choir. Rifkin’s organ takes us to church as does the choir which features Brown. There’s a few nice guitar licks there, too; well done! Then it’s “Don’t Cry Over Me,” with more saxophone and Tim DeHuff adds his guitar to the song.
Next is “Talk Dirty” and then it’s “Love Lightnin’” which are two cuts from the Charlie Karp era of the band. There’s lots of guitar to savor and both songs are jumping cuts. The keys are also up front and cool in the latter cut. “Watch Pocket” has Torrello fronting the group. His gritty vocals are a big change of pace and offer a different approach for the band; lots of guitar licks here, including Jay Willie on slide. They conclude with the classic “Mannish Boy” and do it up well.
This is a fun and enjoyable CD from these New England blues musicians!
