THE BLASTERS
FUN ON SATURDAY NIGHT
RIP CAT RECORDS RIC 1108
WELL OH WELL–JACKSON–BREATH OF MY LOVE–FUN ON SATURDAY NIGHT–NO NIGHTS BY MYSELF–LOVE ME WITH A FEELING–I DON’T WANT CHA–PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE–ROCK MY BLUES AWAY–PENNY–THE YODELING MOUNTAINEER–MARIA MARIA
We’ve been fans of the Southern-California based band The Blasters almost since their Eighties inception. They helped define the roots-rock and Americana genres’, effectively blending rockabilly, blues, jump, swing, R & B and even a touch of country in a career that has spanned some thirty-plus years. Now, Scott Abeyta and the good folks at Rip Cat Records have released “Fun On Saturday Night,” reuniting several of the original members.
Phil Alvin is on guitar, harp, piano, and vocals, John Bazz on bass, and Bill Bateman on drums. All are original members, and they have added Keith Wyatt on guitar, and there are a couple of special guests also on this twelve-cut ensemble.
Check out Phil and Exene Cervenka in a sweet duet of “Jackson.” The title cut is a jumpin’ slab of stop-time blues, with Phil’s hi-test vocal leading the charge, while his plaintive harp over a sparse arrangement highlight “No Nights By Myself.” Phil revisits his Americana roots with a cool yodel on “The Yodeling Mountaineer,” while the set closes with a Spanish-language version of “Marie Marie,” with our good friend Kid Ramos on that big ol’ fat-toned baja sexto.
Our favorite was easy. “Breath Of My Love” has Phil singing over a Fifties’ doo-wop arrangement in a rather grisly tale of a lover who’s “probably bipolar” and comes after him with a butcher knife!
The Blasters were the face of the Eighties rock scene in SoCal, and they show no signs of slowing down. They are touring extensively in support of this set, so catch ’em if you can. It’ll sho’ nuff be a big dose of “Fun On Saturday Night!!” Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow.
donandsherylsbluesblog 