Hog Wild
Stony Plain, 2022
8/10
Although this is the debut album from The Hogtown Allstars, the players include Downchild Blues Band alum Chuck Jackson (lead vocals/harmonica), Pat Carey (sax), Gary Kendall (bass), Jim Casson drums), and Tyler Yarema (piano/organ) alongside Maple Blues Band alums Teddy Leonard (guitar) and Howard Moore (trumpet), who are some of the most noted and esteemed players on the Toronto scene.
“Mr. Lucky” leads with flowing keys, bright brass and Jackson’s gritty yet inviting pipes in the timeless blues climate, and “Hog Wild” follows with spirited organ and thumping drums complementing the raw singing and dense landscape.
“Angel In My Bed” occupies the middle spot, and trims the volume back with much intimacy and soulful backing vocals from Quisha Wint, Jill Zadeh and Selena Evangeline, while “Subway Cassanova” brings power and melody into the album highlight thanks to the strategic bass lines, intricate guitar and gravelly singing.
The final two tracks, “She’s Got The Stuff” and “I Ain’t Lyin”, continue the sturdy blues formula, where the former welcomes plenty of grooves, and the latter bounces and shakes with a dance floor appeal of lively piano, well timed brass and finger acrobatics on the organ.
Collectively, there’s 20+ Maple Blues Awards, five JUNO Awards, two Lifetime Achievement Awards, and countless International blues and jazz music awards spread out across the members. Most importantly, however, is their ability to pen an authentic blues tune you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames- Nightwalk; Brad Absher And The Superials- Tulsa Tea