Colinized by Colin Dussault’s Blues Project CD Release (2007)

2007 Erica Records 1007

This is the first album in a long time from Colin and his band that you can say is a blues album. There are no party songs about chicken wings and big breasted women, and most of the songs that they cover here fall on the blues side of the street. The birth of Dussault’s first child, and the unexpected death of drummer Fredo Perez-Stable’s spouse, bring a maturity to the music for this long time Northern Ohio band, and produced an album more about the music than having a good time.

This is a tight band, both live and in the studio. Guitarist Jim Feeney has been with Dussault since the 80’s, Keyboardist Greg Hurd since the 90’s, bass player Fred Tobey has been full time for more than a few years. And the new guy, drummer Perez-Stable, has been on board for more than a year. These guys play out 4-6 times a week, and it really carries over in the studio. These guys can play and it really shows on this record.

The disk includes guest appearances by a who’s who of the Cleveland blues scene. Becky Boyd, Irma McQueen, Sharron McPherson-Foxx, and the Prayer Warriors Gospel Choir all lend back up vocals. Guitarists Butch Armstrong, “Walking Cane” Charanghat, and Frankie Starr all appear on several tracks. Bill Miller, the legendary “Mr. Stress,” shares harmonica solos, and does the lead vocals on the Sonny Boy Williams standard “Help Me.” Saxaphonist Tony Koussa, Jr., leads a horn section on four of the tracks.

Amongst the highlights are Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and Van Morrison’s “Someone Like You” with the Prayer Warriors sounding great in the background and Dusault giving several outstanding harmonica solos. Bill Miller doing the vocals on “Help Me” gave me a flashback to the old days at the Euclid Tavern. Also included are great versions of Taj Mahal’s “She Caught the Katy,” Hank Williams’ “Jambalya,” Leadbelly’s “Good Night Irene,” and Jimmy Liggins, “I Ain’t Drunk.” Thirteen tracks all together, and not a weak one amongst them.

This album is really good, and it could be the one to get Dussault and the boys a little air play farther from home on Adult Alternative radio and satellite blues stations. For more about Colin and his band, or to purchase copy of any of his CD’s, visit www.colindussault.com.