MICHAEL FALZARANO
AND EXTENDED FAMILY
I GOT BLUES FOR YA
HYPNOTATION RECORDS–WOODSTOCK RECORDS WR 0049
THE NIGHT KING CURTIS DIED–I GOT BLUES FOR YA–I NEVER THINK OF YOU–SNAKE BOX BOOGIE–BIG FISH–WE GOT A PARTY GOIN’ ON–GOOD GOOD LOVIN–CROSSROADS AVENUE–THE DEVIL’S GONE FISHIN’–DEATH DON’T HAVE NO MERCY–TROUBLE–LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Michael Falzarano is a veteran of Hot Tuna and New Riders Of The Purple Sage, having contributed guitar and lyrics for both bands. His current backing band, The Extended Family, features many well-known players, and they combine their myriad of talents for Michael’s latest, “I Got Blues For Ya,” ten very well-conceived originals and two covers that show why Michael has been an in-demand player for some 45 years down the blues highway.
His bluesy, gravelly vocal is a perfect match with the call-and-response of Kane Dailey’s crying slide on the leadoff “The Night King Curtis Died.” The “King Snake Boogie” fuses dynamite piano from Professor Louie with that good ole “endless boogie” a la John Lee Hooker. A cool story about a lover who thinks she’s all that is just a “Big Fish,” and features slide from Kerry Kearney and Vassar Clements on the fiddle.
There are a couple of good “party anthems,” as well. “We Got A Party Goin’ On” has those “champagne corks poppin” while a woman with that ‘red dress on and black hair piled high” can’t be nothin’ but “Trouble!” This one has fine piano again from the Professor and Farfisa organ from Harley Fine. The set closes with a rousing read of Wilbert Harrison’s clarion call for peace, “Let’s Work Together.”
We had two favorites, too. A haunting, live version of Rev. Gary Davis’ “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” takes on a true country-blues feel with Danny Mitterhoff on mandolin and Jason Crosby on fiddle. And, a downright devilish look at that place where the deal goes down is “Crossroads Avenue,” complete with a “hoodoo man and a mojo hand!” Alexis P. Suter is right on time with backing vocals, too.
Micael Falzarano has an unbridled passion for the blues that hasn’t waned throughout his career. “I Got Blues For Ya” continues to add kudos to his impessive resume’! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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