Ooh Yeah!
Stony Plain, 2024
9/10
The legendary bluesman, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, brings plenty of boogie woogie spirit and frisky funk to these 12 excellent tracks that recruit plenty of local guests.
The rhythmic and lively title track opens with Wayne’s smooth pipes and animated keys alongside Joey Dimarco’s swift drumming and soulful backing vocals, and “Whatcha Gonna Do Now?” follows with Jimmy Bowskill’s intricate banjo that suits the firm melodies and crisp percussion.
“My Point Of View” lands in the middle and showcases James Anthony’s meticulous guitar in the dreamy climate, while “Wishing Well” places Ian McKeown on drums amid Wayne’s firm keys and expressive pipes for a distinct intimacy.
Further still, “It’s Pouring Down” benefits much from James Rasmussen’s dense bass and harmonic backing vocals, and “That Crazy Monkey” exits with well timed brass and winds thanks to Remi Cormier (trumpet), Kaven Jalbert (tenor sax) and Mathieu Mousseau (baritone sax), which gives a hint of a Big Band appeal.
An adventurous effort that might bring to mind Billy Strings or Duke Ellington, Wayne proves that even at 80 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Travels well with: Eric Bibb- In The Real World; Mitch Woods- Happy Hour