Review by Gary Tate at MNBLUES.com
http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2004/raoul-bigtime-cold-gt.html
Cold Outside- Raoul and The Big Time
Moving rapidly to the forefront of the Canadian blues scene with his
jump 'n' shake style, compelling way of making a lyric sizzle, and harmonica
heroics, Raoul Bhaneja's latest recording seems certain to sweeten the
pot further. 'Cold Outside' includes the same Big Time personnel (Darren
Gallen, Cheong Liu, and Tom Bona) as did its predecessor, 'Big Time Blues'.
Notably, keyboards have been further added in the persons of Graham Guest
and Kevin Quain.
Sparkling contributions from special guests like Big Joe Maher, string
wizard Junior Watson, and harpist Mark Hummel, are pleasant, but not totally
unexpected surprises, as Raoul often gets invited to perform onstage during
many of their shows at Toronto's premier blues hangout, the Silver Dollar
Room. Bhaneja is entirely tuned into these cats, and totally shares their
love for the classic r&b sounds of such legends as Louis Jordan, Wynonie
Harris, Joe Turner, and Roy Milton.
A couple more outings like 'Cold Outside', and Bhaneja will be inviting
comparisons with Rick Estrin of Little Charlie and the Nightcats fame.
Anyone digging that West Coast style will gravitate to 'Cold Outside'
like a falling apple moving towards Earth. Raoul's harp work brims with
gusto, while his wry under-stated vocals are simply fetching.
Apart from the "down-in-the-alley" Walter Horton instrumental
called "Easy", and the jump blues classic "Loving Machine"
which features Raoul and Big Joe trading "hip-to-the-tip" vocals,
all other tracks are Bhaneja originals. There's a couple more jumps ("Call
Me Crazy", "Can't Help It"), but the mid to lesser-paced
tempo items leave the most lasting impressions.
"Kiss Every Dollar Goodbye" laments that inability to keep a
buck, while featuring sympathetically sparse accompaniment from John Showman's
Joe Venuti-influenced fiddle work. Makes one wonder why blues recordings
don't utilize that instrument more often? "Baby Don't Stop"
hails dance floor good times, with Gallen's mesmerizing string work powering
its rumba-flavored groove. The headline track is easily the most evocative,
with bassist/producer Terry Wilkins' contributing wordless background
harmonies that are bleak and effective, while Gallen's axe glimmers like
frost-encrusted wind chimes. Include Raoul's wistful voice and chunky
harmonica, and the result is a slice of memorable slow blues. "That's
All I Got" also features Hummel on harmonica, another standout that
crackles with fine tension.
Wilkins' extensive jazz background also influenced "Living In Paradise",
(written by Raoul and Jake Langley of Jake and the Blue Midnights). It's
another intimate affair, as keyboardist Graham Guest provides masterful
atmospherics, and it all conjures up images of smoke-filled cafes and
intimate reveries, thanks to Bhaneja's finely honed dramatic skills. "Come
Back" is worth the price of admission--and not due solely due to
Junior Watson's brilliance---while "The Mercy Song" charms with
New Orleans-style bonhomie.
In his alter ego, Raoul is a highly successful actor, with credits including
significant roles in over twenty first-run movies, as well as performances
in countless stage productions. He's currently making his presence known
on the Global TV network series 'Train 48', but 'Cold Outside' suggests
that, in his creative corner of the world, Raoul Bhaneja might just derive
ultimate inspiration from the backbeat of a blues groove.
Ordering Details:
www.raoulandthebigtime.com
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