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David Vest,Way Down Here |
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David Vest,Way Down Here |
Music Review Reprint from the
June, 2003 BluesNotes
By Patrick McDougall
By: Patrick McDougall
The very first track of David Vest's new CD, "Way Down Here," kicks off with a full chorus of monster barrelhouse blues piano that makes you stop what you're doing and take notice. Before you have a chance to catch your breath, his more-than-capable band has joined in on "Get On Down With Me" and hit you broadside, with Paul deLay and Alan Hager taking solo turns between Vest's morally bankrupt verses about what the frog said to the eel: "The more you wiggle, baby / The better it feels." From that point the stage has been set and you know you're in for some salacious, heartfelt, hard-rockin' rhythm & blues.
"Way Down Here" was recorded live at the Ratskeller up on Mt. Hood, and the CD faithfully captures that unmistakable feel of crack musicians plying their trade not only with jaw-dropping skill, but also with a great love for what they're doing. That's evident in Vest's exuberant, rolling piano solos, as well as in his casual yet absolutely earnest singing style; in Paul deLay's soaring harmonica that alternately growls over "Devil Got A Hold" and sighs heartbreakingly in "Way Down Here;" in Alan Hager's lyrical guitar fills that expertly punctuate the ballad "Kaliyuga Highway" and his wildly skittering white-knuckle solos in "Meet Me With Your Black Dress On" — not to mention the irresistible bottom end lent to the proceedings by Jeff Minnick on drums and Dave Kahl and Albert Reda on bass. Dover Weinberg also guests on Hammond B-3 on three of the tunes, providing a particularly tasty solo on "Kaliyuga Highway."
It's worth mentioning that all of the songs on this CD are David Vest originals, and they span a wide range of moods and feels: from uptempo blues, R&B and boogie-woogie to ballads and even gospel. It comes as no surprise that Vest has traveled all over the U.S., and indeed the world, and learned from many musicians. It's also worth noting that it's not every pianist who can play the instrument as a rhythm section and solo axe all at the same time, as Vest does at the openings of several tracks on this CD — in effect setting the tempo and rhythmic feel for the rest of the band before they enter. If you appreciate this kind of masterful playing, combined with clever songwriting and stunning guest performances, this disc is a "must-have."
© 2003 Cascade Blues Association