B’s Testimony
Sweetspot, 2021
9/10
The blues powerhouse Al Basile is back with another batch of well thought out and timeless tunes, and he’s got an all star cast of New England musicians with him, including Bruce Bears, Brad Hallen, Mark Teixeira, Doug James, Jeff ‘Doc’ Chanonhouse, and Kid Andersen.
“Lucky Man” starts the listen with melodic, flowing blues as Basile’s smooth and soulful pipes shine alongside Teixeira’s fluid drumming and James’ playful sax, and “Don’t Kid Yourself Baby” follows with a calmer pace of spirited guitar work and Chanonhouse’s well timed trumpet in the gritty yet tuneful blues climate.
Near to the middle, “I’m Bad That Way” recruits a festive approach where a bouncy rhythm and Andersen’s meticulous guitar makes an indelible impression, while “Up Close And Personal Best” moves swiftly amid bright brass, mesmerizing guitar and a sharp rhythm section. “I Oughta Be Your Monkey”, a late album highlight, then brings power and technical precision to an immediately memorable landscape.
Approaching the end, “Through Thick And Thin” showcases Bears’ finger acrobatics with the keys as Basile’s flawless vocals impress us further, and “He Said, She Said” exits the listen with a thumping and dynamic execution that benefits from Hallen’s top notch bass playing.
This is Basile’s first time working with Andersen on an album, and let’s hope it isn’t his last, cause the guitar wizard complements Basile’s song craft superbly, whether it’s full throttle blues or reserved balladry. Toss in the other exceptional musicians and you’ve got one of Basile’s best records to date, which is no easy feat considering the strength of his back catalog.
Travels well with: Mike Zito- Resurrection; Sean Chambers- That’s What I’m Talking About