BIG PAPA AND THE TCB
SIX PACK OF COOL
INLAND BLUE RECORDS IBR 001018
PAPA’S IN DA HOUSE–A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE–BIG BAD BLUES–200 POUNDS OF TROUBLE–DRINK DRANK DRUNK–BABY’S GOT A NEW FRIEND–A LIL BIT O’ SOMETHIN–MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE–WAIT TILL YO DADDY GETZ HOME–CRAZY ‘BOUT THE GIRL–SHOWTIME–MY WAY BACK HOME
It’s not every blues band that has a song licensed to be used in the Super Bowl, but Big Papa And The TCB have done just that–their song, “Go Big Papa,” is tied in with Papa John’s Pizza and has brought them quite a spot of notoriety. And, Their latest release, ” Six Pack Of Cool,” takes them back to their jump-blues roots thanks in part to the addition of a swingin’ new horn section. This one features twelve band originals and a great Rod Piazza cover, and, believe us when we tell you, this one is a high-octane blues rush from the first note to the last!
Chris Thayer is Big Papa, who handles the vocals and guitar. Steve Brown is on bass, Ray Wilson is on drums, with “Johnny Reb” Mila De La Rosa on keys. The horn section is Maurice Oliva on sax and Marques Crews on trumpet, which adds some serious depth to their already huge sound.
Big Papa takes us down to The Big Easy with the second-line pace of “there’s not a lot you can do when those Big Bad Blues come for you!” Papa feels trouble in the air when “Baby’s Got A New Friend” and things just don’t seem the way they oughta be! Another swingin’ tune is the story of a girl who has “A Thin Line Between Love And Hate,” so don’t “drink and gamble away your bread, or she’ll kick you right outta your own bed!” Maurice and Marques each get in lengthy solos in this one. Gino Matteo adds vocals on a cool homage to a lover, “Crazy “Bout The Girl,” while the set closes with just Papa’s vocal over Johnny Reb’s piano and Marques’ muted trumpet on “My Way Back Home.”
Our favorite was an easy choice. The in-your-face swagger of the title cut sets the tone for the rest of the album, and Big Papa And The TCB bring a “Six Pack Of Cool” to this blues party! So, “lock up your daughters and hide your wives–Big Papa’s In The House” tonite!! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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