TAS CRU
YOU KEEP THE MONEY
CRUSTEE TEAS RECORDS 1402
YOU KEEP THE MONEY–A MONTH OF SOMEDAYS–HALF THE TIME–LA BELLE POUTINE–HEART TROUBLE–A LITTLE MORE TIME–ONE BAD HABIT–TAKE ME BACK TO TULSA–COUNT ON ME–HOLDING ON TO YOU–BRINGING OUT THE BEAST–THINKING HOW TO TELL ME GOODBYE
Bluesman Tas Cru has been hailed as the “master of the triple entendre,” and rightfully so. He has always had a way with a lyric, as well as being a helluva singer and guitarist. For his sixth album, “You Keep The Money,” he continues to bring forth songs that’ll make you think, make you smile, and make you wanna dance!
The concept of the album and the title cut came out of a conversation with Delta blues icon T-Model Ford, a victim of failing health and a home that had fallen into great disrepair. As such, Tas Cru organized a benefit gig at the Bluesberry Cafe, with the door money going to T-Model. He graciously deferred, asking Tas only to “show me the love–You Keep The Money.” That sentiment drives the opening title cut, going out to every blues player knowing he’s not likely to get rich playing the blues. It features great harp from Dick Ericksen, and B-3 from Guy Nirelli. “Heart Trouble” follows a funky, staccato beat as Tas blames his latest malady on falling in love. A sweet, gospel-inflected cut that pays tribute to all of the aging players still around to spread the word of the blues finds Tas asking for them all to have “just A Little More Time.” Dick’s harp and Chip Lamson’s piano helps Tas to break his “One Bad Habit,” which just happens to be “women like you” “Count On Me” uses Tas’ ability to make a clever play on words, and he closes the set with a country-tinged “breakup song” of sorts, “Thinking How To Tell Me Goodbye.”
We had two favorites, too. “A Month Of Somedays” is a helluva long time, especially after your lover is gone, as evidenced in this minor-key ballad. And, a pastoral, acoustic intro gives way to the rockin’ “Take Me Back To Tulsa,” with cool references to the Bristol Motor Speedway and the good ole boys of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Tas Cru experiments with several styles of blues and plays them with passion and soul. “You Keep The Money”pays a debt to blues players everywhere!! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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