Sugar Ray
SWEET & SWINGIN'
Bullseye Blues - 9607
available on amazon
Sugar Ray Norcia has a voice that is smooth as can be with just the finest bit of silt in it to give it some texture. He chooses his songs with exceptional care in that they all have some special meaning for him, so that he puts that little bit extra into them. Listen to the fine version of Arthur Alexander's classic YOU BETTER MOVE ON, and try and tell me the song doesn't have a deep-seated place in his heart. Sugar Ray is rooted in the blues and he doesn't stake a claim in any geographical area, but rather goes for the feeling of the song. He seems to love the songs that are rooted in the Blues and Swing music of the 50's and 60's. His tunes range from swing, to an R & B cut by Percy Mayfield, Willie Dixon is represented along with Jimmy Rogers and Walter Horton. He does an outstanding job on a Hank Williams cut, which shows how much Hank Senior was influenced by the soul of the Blues, even though he was country. For good measure he lets his harp run wild as if was a Cajun squeeze-box on the Terrence Simien cut NO GOOD WOMAN. Which brings us to the players on this very fine disc. They are a nonpareil group that plays each song in a non compromising manner. They are the consummate group that goes for the feel of the song rather than trying to hog the solo time. Other than Sugar Ray's outstanding and featured, but not over done, harp work, do give a listen to the smokin' solo laid down by Kid Bangham on LOVE, LIFE AND MONEY. I don't know that I have a favorite cut, but by the same token I don't think there is a filler cut on this disc. An outstanding debut for the man who formerly lead Roomful of Blues for 6 years.
Songs, times and writers
1. JACK SHE'S ON THE BALL - 2:50 - William York
2. YOU BETTER MOVE ON - 4:48 - A. Alexander
3. NEED MY BABY - 5:40 - Walter Horton
4. TOMORROW NIGHT - 4:04 - Coslow - Grosz
5. LOST MIND - 3:19 - Percy Mayfield
6. IT'S A LOW DOWN DIRTY SHAME - 4:46 - Ollie Shepard
7. LOVE, LIFE AND MONEY - 5:27 - Dixon - Glover
8. YOU BETTER CHANGE YOUR WAY OF LOVING - 4:04 - PeeWee Crayton
9. MY SWEET LOVE AIN'T AROUND - 2:25 - Hank Williams
10. NO GOOD WOMAN - 3:31 - Simien - Loileau
Players
Sugar Ray Norcia - vocals, harmonica
Matt McCabe - piano
Kid Bangham - guitar (except # 5)
Rob Nelson - guitar (except # 9)
Marty Ballou - bass
Neil Gouvin - Drums
Greg Mazel - tenor saxophone - (# 5, 6, 8)
Doug James - baritone saxophone - (# 5, 6)
The Jordanaires - Neal Mathews, Duane West, Louis Nunley, Michael Black, background vocals
Produced by - Carl Querfurth and Ray Norcia