JAY STOLLMAN
ROOM FOR ONE MORE
FEATURING DEBBIE DAVIES
NUMBER 7 RECORDS
RIDE ‘TIL I’M SATISFIED–I’M DONE–TIRED OF TRYIN–LONESOME IN MY BEDROOM–I’D RATHER DRINK MUDDY WATER–A CHANGE IS GONNA COME–PUCKER UP BUTTERCUP–BACK TO MEMPHIS–TUMBLE–CAN’T SLOW DOWN–ANOTHER NIGHT TO CRY–DEVIL IN DISGUISE–LOVE ME AND LEAVE ME–ROOM FOR ONE MORE
Jay Stollman is a fire-and-brimstone vocalist from the East Coast who has one of those gravelly, Jack Daniels-burnished voices that is simply perfect for the blues. He recently guested on vocals on Debbie Davies’ “Love Spin” album, and she returns the favor on Jay’s latest, “Room For One More.” It is a good mix of covers and originals which showcase his incredible vocal chops. Those chops will soon be on display everywhere, as the family and band of the late Johnny Winter just tabbed Jay to fill the vocal role on the upcoming Johnny Winter Remembrance Tour.
This album is full of the things that one is likely to hear on this upcoming tour. Jay and Debbie kick off the proceedings with Walter Trout’s rousing ode to life as a bluesman, “Ride ‘Til I’m Satisfied.” Everyone gets in a funkified mood for the soulful “Pucker Up Buttercup,” with Debbie on backing vocal, and Matt Zeiner’s piano.
Jay brings classic blues to the table, with the slow-burn of “Lonesome In My Bedroom” and Lonnie Johnson’s “Another Night To Cry over you.” Jay gives a great read on a couple of iconic tunes, “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water,” with cool stop-time guitar from Debbie, and again with a sanctified-and-soulful, “A Change Is Gonna Come.” He close the set on another powerful note, with a song written along with Andy Abel, who adds the chilling acoustic slide guitar on “Room For One More.”
We had two favorites, too. Another original from Jay and Scott Spray is the sly, second-line strut of a man who’s only interested in a woman who’ll “Love Me And Leave Me!” And, Jay captures the spirit of Johnny Winter with “Tired Of Tryin,” from Johnny’s “Nothin But The Blues” album. Kevin Totoian’s harp also is spot-on, as he makes everything click by nailing an extra-long solo at the bridge, much like James Cotton’s original.
Jay Stollman’s stock is bound to rise on the strength of the upcoming Johnny Winter tributes, and with killer sets such as “Room For One More!” He’s a great singer, making this a “don’t miss” set! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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