Good Thing Goin’
Propeller, 2023
8/10
On this first album in 7 years, the always impressive Dex Romweber brings guitar rockers, piano ballads and plenty of reverb to this gospel, soulful and R&B flavored listen.
“A Good Thing Going” opens the listen with Romweber’s loud guitar and gritty voice alongside Dave Schmitt’s lively drums and a few soulful backing vocalists, and “If You Love Me” follows with Laura Thomas contributing violin and Crowmeat Bob Pence’s tenor and baritone sax bringing much diversity to the cautious yet animated landscape.
At the halfway point, the dreamy and intimate “For All We Know” is just Romweber’s elegant piano and stirring voice, while “Twine Time” thumps and shakes with Mark Simonsen’s Hammond organ and Aaron Olivia’s electric bass giving the album highlight plenty of retro spirit in the vocal-less climate.
Approaching the end, the rhythmic and gruff “Saturday Morning” has Romweber’s playful guitar throaty pipes in attendance, which are joined by Simonsen’s drums, conga, bass and piano, and “I Found My Love” exits with Taz Halloween’s well timed backing vocals for the nostalgic love song that sounds right out of The Great American Songbook.
Whether this is your first trip with Romweber of you’re a long time fan, you’re going to love these powerful, anthemic and animated tunes that populate his retro and diverse version of rock’n’roll.
Travels well with: Jason Hawk Harris- Love & The Dark; Mekons- Deserted