How many working bands take six months off to re-define their sound? Naughty Uncle Norman did while recording this debut disc.
I had the pleasure of watching bassist Norman Rockswell (the Naughty Uncle himself) and his bandmates shape the group's sound. They'd record. They'd listen. They'd analyze. They'd re-arrange, re-harmonize, and re-record. I'm biased. I think Rockswell, Maggie Vee (sax, vocals), Eric Hice (guitar) and John Covington (drums) are good cats - right up there with Jesus, and the inventor of the mini skirt.
They lost one keyboard player (Jerry Gibson), but gained two more: Susan Johnson (organ) and Eric Starling (piano). They recruited Scott Johnson for additional percussion. This is the only Southern California Blues Band with its own conga section! Although this album is a cover project, Rockswell tells me that was deliberate. "Until we truly understood the sound of this band," he said, "what was the point of trying to do original material?" In the process of recording the album, the band discovered its voice.
How would I describe Naughty Uncle Norman? The high energy of the best Stax/Volt material from the late 60's. The raw earthiness of Koko Taylor or Ruth Brown. The harmonies? Dark, subtle, and perfiect for this band performing this material. Dare I say the "C" word? Naughty Uncle Norman has commercial appeal - an ingredient lacking amongst many of their contemporaries.
Used Blues serves as a timepiece for the group: a way of acknowledging the past, and building on it. With their newly-found voice and ignited confidence, Naughty Uncle Norman will be playing their asses off. Don't miss the chance to
see them live.
What have we learned from these liner notes?
#1.Original blues doesn't necessarily come from Chicago, Kansas City, or the Mississippi Delta. Sometimes the originality is in the intepretation of a classic.
#2.In this day of pop radio being over-run with Britney wanna-be's and Nsync clones, isn't it delightful to hear music of substance that moves you emotionally?
#3.It is actually possible for me to say something positive about a band without getting paid for it.
Damn! This must be good. What are you waiting for? Pop it in!
Jeff "The Rock & Roll Junkie" Duran
Host of "Metalblitz" on KLSX 97.1 FM, Los Angeles
And "Junkie's Lunch Box" on KIXA 106.5 FM, Victorville, Ca.
