Mentioning that little has changed for a band in nearly 35 years might sound like a criticism, but for
Roomful of Blues, that's actually a compliment. After more personal shifting than
Savoy Brown and with saxist
Rich Lataille as the only remaining original member, the Rhode Island-based jump blues outfit still swings with the passion and precision they exhibited three decades ago. On their 17th album (but first for Alligator Records) they have swapped frontmen/singers yet again, with harmonica ace Mark DuFresne now ably filling that position. Still, the band retains and even enhances the buoyant, horn-injected sound that has always been their trademark. From the rollicking boogie-woogie of
Smiley Lewis' "Shame, Shame, Shame" to the big-band attack of "You're Driving Me Crazy" made popular by
Benny Goodman and
Billie Holiday, to
Big Joe Turner's "Lipstick, Powder & Paint," this version of the band hasn't lost an ounce of their drive. If anything,
That's Right is quintessential
Roomful of Blues, with zippy hipster jazz instrumentals like
Arthur Prysock's "2 Point 8" -- a showcase for the horn section -- that are as lively and essential as anything they have waxed. Veteran guitarist
Chris Vachon is attaining the chops, if not the reputation, of previous
Roomful axemen such as
Duke Robillard and
Ronnie Earl. His short, succinct solos stab between the horns and DuFresne's husky vocals. Longtime fans will gobble this up, but even first timers interested in hearing a solid
Roomful disc would do well to select
That's Right as their primary
Roomful of Blues purchase. ~ Hal Horowitz