Cascade Blues Music Reviews

Caught Live!

The Hudson Rocket Band

Music Review Reprint from the
July, 2002 BluesNotes
By Greg Johnson

Self-Released
Still In Search Of A Groove by Jack Cook & The Phantoms Of Soul Total Time 49:59

Over the past few years, we have seen the Hudson Rocket Band take on a whole makeover within their lineup. Now, they seem very secure with the grouping in place and have settled into a definite groove that fits their individual styles to a tee. This release was recorded at various performances earlier this year and finds the band in top-notch form, blazing their way through a fine selection of covers. It is a picture-perfect example of the fun time to be had by attending their shows.

Vocals are exchanged by all of the members over the course of the CD. Highlights include Mickie Will growling with intensity on Albert King's "Born Under A Bad Sign;" "Cordless" Cliff Ashmon taking on Charlie Musselwhite's "My Buddy Buddy Friends;" and Ken "Buzz" Johnson shouting his way through Robben Ford's "Start It Up." The instrumentation between the members gets better with every performance, as they grow together as a unit. And it's easy to see why Corey Wheeler is a past "Muddy Award" winner, especially when burning his way through a fiery rendition of Freddie King's classic, "Sen-Say-Shun."

This CD is worth picking up if you're a Hudson Rocket fan or just looking for a sample of a good-time, home-grown band that'll "play the Blues so you don't have to." Take in a Hudson Rocket show and take them home on CD, too.