Blewzzman's Blues CD Reviews
Ratso - "Water Rising"

RATSO, a band that records on RIFF RAT RECORDS, consists of JOHN "RATSO" GERARDI on guitar and vocals, FONDA FEINGOLD on keyboards and vocals, RICHARD CROOKS on drums, SCOTT SPRAY on bass, STEVE HARDWICK on guitar and vocals, and ANGEL RISSOFF on vocals. On "WATER RISING," which consists of 12 very bluesy, very jazzy, very funky and extremely vibrant originals, they are joined by a slew of outstanding guest artists. As I mention the tracks that particularly impressed me – and mostly all of them did – I will give credit to some of the guests.

MAKE IT STICK" is a perfect opening track. It immediately had me shaking in my seat – and I love when that happens – and made it very difficult for me to type. It's a funky DR. JOHN sounding track that's really jazzed up. JEFF BOVA on Hammond B-3 and Synthesizer, along with some excellent vocals, make this a standout. "HARDER BY THE MINUTE" is a very similar track, which keeps the funky thing going on and features some nice baritone sax solos by JOE MEO.

"COLD FRONT" is one of the most bluesy tracks on "WATER RISING." And, needless to say, one of my personal favorites. The keyboard work is outstanding and guest drummer Andy LaDue definitely spices up the rhythm section. The next track, "THE BLUES IS WHAT YOU FEEL," just kept taking the direction of this CD deeper into the blues and the further it went the more I started liking it. The vocals and the guitar on this track are what the blues is all about, or as the title states . . . "what you feel."

Strangely, but yet tastefully, two tracks – "NO CANDLE" and "THIS THING CALLED LOVE" – provide a little reggae and little calypso/island sound to this CD. On both these tracks, the percussion work of FRED WOLCOTT is outstanding.

"DON'T LET THE SAME DOG BITE YOU TWICE" is all RATSO. It's a straight up, hard-driving, fast-paced, smokin' guitar-licks-filled track with excellent vocals. This one got the replay button hit more than once.

"TOO MUCH JAWBONE" ends this CD with an interesting flavor. It's a tasty little number featuring lots of Dixieland, with a bit of Jug Band and some Leon Redbone style vocals. Outstanding were JOE BOERST on upright bass, RICHARD CROOKS on washboard and jaw harp, JOHN GOLDSCHMID on piano, and JOE MEO on clarinet and giggle. Indeed, a fun track to listen to.

I must admit that this CD certainly was a surprise hit with me. I guess it's that first impression thing. Looking at the CD cover in conjunction with the name RATSO had me thinking "oh no - another rock CD that claims to be blues." However, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that I was wrong: "WATER RISING" is quite enjoyable listening.