The album opens with “Boogie Me
Till I Drop,” which – as you might guess from its title – is a fun number. This
tune has a wonderful New Orleans vibe and rhythm, the horns urging us to join
together on the dance floor. Yeah, the band is throwing a party, and it seems
we are all invited. Time to cut loose, enjoy ourselves. “When she puts that stuff in motion, lord, the walls come tumbling down.”
The Forrest McDonald Band then gets a whole lot deeper into the blues with
“Blues In The Basement,” Andrew Black’s voice being the focus here. He gives a
really good, powerful vocal performance – sometimes smooth, sometimes
gloriously raw. “‘Cause when you’re
living your life down in the basement/Lord, mercy, it’s filled with despair/Yeah,
so much despair.” This track features some really cool, expressive work on
guitar, plus some sexy stuff on keys.
The moment the title track “Blues
In A Bucket” begins, its bright vibe works to raise my spirits. Ah, it’s
wonderful how the blues can do that. And let’s give credit here to the bass line,
because, yeah, it’s working well. “Put my
blues in a bucket/Gonna throw it in the sea/I’ll sit and watch the tide roll
away from me.” I think we all want to chuck our blues at this point. How
great it would be to watch them pulled away by the tide. And for me, really,
that means tossing Donald Trump into the ocean, and watching the waves pull him
out to sea, never to return. Goodbye, blues. This track becomes a good jam there
in the middle. “Windy City Blues” immediately establishes a wonderful groove
that is familiar and soulful. This track features some absolutely delightful touches
on keys, and a really good vocal performance. “I got them Windy City blues/I’ve got to face the facts/I gave my love
to a woman/And she never gave it back.” I also love those horns, the way
they are at first so gentle, like caresses offered in the night, and then later
more lively, particularly when joining with the guitar in the second half of
the song. That lead on guitar is excellent, each note so clear, so precise, so
effective. This is one of my favorite tracks.
“Go To The Light” has a fun
groove and a cheerful, totally enjoyable lead vocal performance. But what I
really love about this song are those gospel-sounding backing vocals and the
way they are supported by the horns. Wonderful stuff there. “Everyone is so confused/They don’t know what
to do.” Yup, that’s just about right. By the way, whenever I hear someone
say anything like “Go to the light,” I can’t help but think of that scene from Poltergeist, with JoBeth Williams
shouting, “Run to the light, Carol Anne!”
“Go To The Light” is followed by “Misery And Blues,” its opening lines being “The whole world’s gone crazy/It’s filled
with misery.” Again, yes, that’s just about right. And every day it is
getting crazier. I love the way the backing vocals echo “Misery.” Beautiful. “There’s
no more peace and love/Just pain everywhere I see.” This is a serious song
with a darker vibe, but it features some great stuff from the horns, plus some
excellent work on both guitar and harmonica. That harmonica becomes the soul of
the song, crying out and expressing the pain and worry so many are
experiencing. “We can’t go on like this,
or we’re all going to lose/I don’t know about you, baby, but I’ve had enough of
this misery and blues.” I’ve been saying that for three years now. Please,
an end to Donald Trump means an end to this country’s misery; or, at least an
end to a large portion of it.
Becky Wright joins the band on
lead vocals for “Powerhouse,” a strong, mean blues number, with some lyrics to
match that sound, that vibe. Check out these lines: “I’ve been standing at the crossroads with a hellhound on my trail/And
at the stroke of midnight, he’s going to take your soul to hell/Wish you well.”
I love that “Wish you well,” and the way
she delivers it, that attitude. Becky Wright turns in one hell of a good performance
here. The album began with a fun track, a party song, and it ends that way as
well, with “Let The Love In Your Heart,” featuring another great rhythm. Becky Wright again joins the band on
vocals, and on this one we have both female and male lead vocals. “There’s a breeze rolling in/A change is going to come/Beyond the
yonder mountain/I can see the rising sun/Open up your heart/Listen to your mind/Forget about
yesterday/Leave it all behind.” And, yes,
I can’t help but smile at the phrase “yonder mountain,” being a big
fan of Yonder Mountain String Band. Plus, this track features more good stuff
on guitar and harmonica. This track leaves us in a good place, and for that I am thankful.
CD Track List
- Boogie Me Till I Drop
- Blues In The Basement
- Blues In A Bucket
- Blue Morning Sun
- Hard To Lose
- Windy City Blues
- Go To The Light
- Misery And Blues
- Powerhouse
- Going Back To Memphis
- Let The Love In Your Heart
Blues In A Bucket is scheduled to be released on February 7, 2020.
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