The blues are brewing on these two recent gems…
Dennis Herrera mixes and matches with some foot stomping buddies on this infectious collection of originals. He divides the band between So Cal and No Cal, but the pickings are good either way with Sid Morris/p, Frank DeRose-Bill Stuve/b, Jeff Jorgenson-Jack Sanford/sax, Robi Bean/dr, Denis Depoitre/harp, Gordon Peeke/perc and Rich Wenzel/B3 humming on all eight cylinders.
Herrera’s got a sassy sound on his ax, while his voice is rough and ready as on the boogie bluesers “You Stole My Heart” and the eight bar gem “With No Refrain.” Sanford pulls out his bottle of Jr. Walkeron a soulful “Look Out” while the Hammond grooves with the back beating “You Can Name It.” The band stomps the floor hard all through the album except for the acoustic gem at the end, with Herrera taking you to the back porch on a folksy “Bittersweet.” This guy’s got the gristle in his teeth!
Filipino blues singer Carolyn Fe writes the material here as well, and her voice ranges from a husky wisp on the murky “One Minute to Minute” to some urgent growling on the 70s rocker “I Can’t Breathe” where she gives a socio-political message to boot. Some a capella moments are riveting on “Bring You Water” and the mood gets gospel churchy on “Prayer” while some rich folk moods are rich on “Nothi’ Doin.” Her delivery is soft and confessional during her aria of “Wanna Say We’re Through” and she can hit like thunder during an echoey “Sugar.” She’s got some fight!
www.dennisherrera.com