BLUESMASTERS feat. MICKEY THOMAS – ST (2010)

Mickey Thomas may forever be associated with STARSHIP, the 1980s-era hitmakers that cranked out such chart-topping guilty pleasures as “Jane”, “Sara” and “We Built This City”, but his musical roots go back much further than that.
Thomas began his career singing gospel music, moving on to Southern Rock when he stepped up to sing the stunning lead vocal in 1976 on bluesman Elvin Bishop Band surprise Billboard #3 hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”.
Thirty years and counting into his ongoing tenure with STARSHIP, the amateur cook now turns his sweet and sour voice to a selection of choice covers and creates a spectacular musical statement with THE BLUESMASTERS, testifying with sweaty fervor to his rock audience while making true believers of blues fans.

Guitarist and producer Tim Tucker put together THE BLUESMASTERS in 2007 with pianist Sean Benjamin. The guys were just having fun, cranking out old blues classics, when somebody had the bright idea to bring in Thomas to sing with the band.
Using his vast experience and contacts, Tucker assembled a tight, tough ensemble behind Thomas with the fatback drumming of british legend Aynsley Dunbar who has worked with everybody from JOHN MAYALL and JEFF BECK to FRANK ZAPPA and JOURNEY.

As if to acknowledge his years of preparation and knowledge of the material, Thomas recorded all his vocals in one take.
That’s clear since the first track, the band’s smoky, slow-burning take on the Big Joe Turner boogie-blues classic “Cherry Red”. With pianist Sean Benjamin providing some mighty fine honky-tonk keyboard tinkling, harmonica ace Doug Lynn’s blows out the dust Little Walter style, with a blustery lead accompanying Thomas’ swaggering vocals.
The Bluesmasters’ raucous cover of the Muddy Waters’ classic “Rock Me Baby” is pure gold.
As Thomas belts out his vocals in the best Chicago blues tradition, he’s joined by Lynn’s raging harp play, Tucker’s rolling fretwork, and veteran drummer Aynsley Dunbar’s blunderbuss percussion. This is houserockin’ music at its very best, and Thomas clearly relishes the role, mugging the lyrics with reckless aplomb and no little glee.

Shifting moods, genres and eras, Thomas revisits his signature ballad #3 hit “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” bluesed up a bit, mostly by Tucker’s subtle guitarplay. Thomas has been singing the tune most of his adult life, so it’s no surprise that he knocks it out here; the addition of female vocalists Stephanie Calvert (Thomas’ colleague in STARSHIP) and Darlene Gardner is a welcome addition to the song, their angelic voices proving a sublime counterpoint to Thomas’ masculine growl.

It takes a big man to walk in Etta James’ shoes, but Thomas does exactly that with an inspired reading of the James’ romantic classic “I’d Rather Go Blind”. Thomas applies a bit of gospel fervor to his vocals, wrapping the song’s bittersweet pain with a potent dose of Southern soul.
The Muddy Waters songbook is a familiar play for any blues-rock band, and The Bluesmasters dip into that deep blues well with a rocking cover of Waters’ “Can’t Get No Grindin’”, with the accompanying vocals of the legendary Magic Slim (who also lays down a little red-hot guitar for the fans). The combination of their opposing timbres and styles lends variety and texture.
Another amazing track is strutting cover of Delta legend Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues”, with Tucker and guest John Wedemeyer laying down some tasty rattletrap guitar riffing as the foundation, harpist Lynn providing the heart and soul of the song with his blustering harmonica notes. Thomas’ vocals are appropriately dusky, and dusty too.

Contrasting tempos, the band falls into the subtle and classic slow blues “Third Degree” as sung by Eddie Boyd in 1953. Taking his cue from the original, Thomas turns the heat down to a smoldering glow, drawing out his phrasing that seems to slow time after the barely contained explosive licks played by Tucker in the intro. Both Tucker and keyboardist Ulsky are given generous solo space and they take advantage of it to pour out their hearts in league with Thomas. Aynsley Dunbar percussion shines here too.
The driving blues rock of “Get Your Business Straight” from the catalog of the late “Master of the Telecaster” Albert Collins, provides Thomas with the opportunity to strut and jive his stuff while Magic Slim plays a credible tribute to the “Ice Man” with razor sharp fills and a whiny, punchy solo.

Keeping the tempo up, Thomas chooses Elmore James’ “Over Yonder Wall” that finds Tucker replicating the slidemeister’s patented signature riff. As the band locks into a chugging boogie shuffle, Thomas sings out with the same type of passion that “Elmo” brought to his landmark performances. Organist Ulsky offers a tasty and understated Hammond B-3 solo preceding Tucker’s slashing chorus of blues, as both serve to encourage Thomas to reach deep inside his soul for a howling final verse.
The Bluesmasters featuring Mickey Thomas closes with Tucker’s original R&B tearjerker “Long Time”, and the title could be applied to the journey Thomas has taken to reach this glorious point in his career.
Addressing the classic theme of how long it takes to heal a broken heart, he again utilizes the occasion on the dramatic, anthemic composition to express his indomitable will to survive and go on. Tucker, as always, accompanies sympathetically and with utter authority, playing a soaring, melodic solo and engaging in a vocal/guitar duet with Thomas.

“The Bluesmasters featuring Mickey Thomas” is a fantastic recording, thanks to the talent, enthusiasm and obvious reverence that everybody involved has for the blues – rock.
Tucker is a solid guitarist and bandleader, and his slidework on Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues” should make any blues fan sit up and take note.
He’s put together a fine band as well, starting with the talents of monster drummer Aynsley Dunbar, and the magic harpslinger Doug Lynn, a skilled instrumentalist that brings to mind the best of Charlie Musselwhite’s early work.
Thomas’ vocals speak for themselves, and he’s at his best here, almost clocking 60 years-old and sounding better than ever.
Just check the 2 video-songs below (especially “Rock Me Baby” entirely, until the end).

Maybe you’re wondering what this kind of album is doing here.
Bluesy music, when it’s well crafted, rocks bigtime.
And this is the case.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – Cherry Red
02 – Rock Me Baby
03 – Fooled Around And Fell In Love
04 – Sick And Tired
05 – I’d Rather Go Blind
06 – Can’t Get No Grindin’ (duet with Magic Slim)
07 – Walkin’ Blues
08 – Third Degree
09 – Get Your Business Straight (duet with Magic Slim)
10 – Over Yonder Wall
11 – Long Time

Mickey Thomas : Vocals
Tim Tucker : Guitar, Production
Danny Miranda : Bass
Ric Ulsky : Keyboards, Hammond B-3
Sean Benjamin : Piano
Doug Lynn : Harmonica
Aynsley Dunbar : Drums & Percussion
Magic Slim : Vocals, Guitar
John Wedemeyer : Guitar
Stephanie Calvert (ex – Starship) : Background Vocals
Darlene Gardner : Background Vocals

IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT !