NO REFUND BAND
CURRENT STATE OF BLUE
INDEPENDENT RELEASE
BUY THE BLUES–CURRENT STATE OF BLUE–ST. LOUIS BOUND–FAVORITE FOOL–LOVE UNMADE–BELL BOTTOM BLUES–MISSISSIPPI QUEEN–I GOTTA PLAY–BOUGHT AND SOLD–BLUES MAN DYING–STILL GOT THE BLUES–SHE TAKE ME
The sophomore release from the No Refund Band is entitled “Current State Of Blue,” and includes nine outstanding originals and three covers that showcases a maturity in the band’s overall sound, buoyed by their clever songwriting. There are virtually no two grooves alike herein, making this a varied, versatile, and eclectic set.
Check out the slow-groove of the leadoff cut, where you can “have a lot of money, but you can’t buy peace of mind,” aptly-titled “Buy The Blues.” The horn section and B-3 are prevalent throughout, over Ricky Jackson’s vocal and guitar. The title cut and “Favorite Fool” blend a touch of jazz in with the blue notes, while the guitars and horns of “don’t leave our Love Unmade” follow a Latin groove. “Bought And Sold” is a stone shot of funk, complete with punched-up horns and wah-wah galore, while the set closes in similar fashion with the scratchy-cool soul of “She Take Me,’ about that perfect woman who “take me high, then take me low.”
We had two favorites, too. Randy’s vocal is dead-on and knocks “Mississippi Queen” outta the park, and one of the band originals takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the plight of today’s blues players, as the “Blues Man Dying, trying to make a living!”
There is something for every taste on “Current State Of Blue,” and you will not want your money back after you listen to the No Refund Band! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.