“Green Eyed Blues”
Laura Green Music
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © September 2020
Singer, songwriter Laura Green’s debut release is titled “Green Eyed Blues” – and if I may take the liberty of being complimentary – it could also have been called “Fabulous Green Eyed Blues”. Now, to those of you who may be wondering if by using the word fabulous I’m referring to Laura’s music or her green eyes, the answer is simply YES!
Counting the one track co-written by the disc’s co-producer, David Torretta, all eleven tracks are Laura Green originals. Joining Laura, on lead vocals, the band consists of: Art Dwyer on bass and background vocals; Aaron Griffin and Ron Roskowske on guitar; Rich McDonough on guitar and background vocals; Rob Lee and Joe Meyer on drums; Bob Lohr and Carl Pandolfi on piano; Bill Murphy on piano and organ; Charlie Pfeffer on mandolin; and Ellen Hinkle, Michele Isam, Chris Shepherd and Renee Smith on background vocals.
With many more great tracks ahead, some of which I may even like better, “Bone To Pick” was by far the perfect song to open with. With first impressions carrying so much weight – especially when hearing an artist for the very first time – this track was symbolic of a pack mule. Between the chair dancing and air drumming it had me doing right out of the gate, I had no choice but to get lost in the music – I sure as heck couldn’t type, that’s for sure. Equally as impressive as everything I was hearing was the way I was hearing it – the mix was masterful: I heard – and felt – every beat of the killer rhythm Art and Joe were banging out: from the opening intro – and throughout – Bob’s piano leads were profound; the pickin’, strummin’ and slidin’ Rich was was doing up and down that guitar were all sharp; and that gal with the fabulous green eyes, and equally fabulous voice, was well on her way to crushing that first impression thing. Very well done!
“It Ain’t Easy” starts out with a beautiful piano lead from Bob while Laura softly, slowly, and soulfully belts out some blues filled, feeling lonely type, lyrics. Then before you know it, just as I was starting to think ballad – BAM! The vibrant rhythm kicks in, the tempo rapidly picks up and Laura – with lots of help from Ellen, Renee, Rich and Chris – takes the vocals to an outdoor, tent revival level. Good stuff!
Lyin’, cheatin’, who he’s meetin’ and other forms of mistreatin’ are just a partial list of reasons this loser is being sassily chastised by Laura. He’s obviously nothing but “A Reason To Sing The Blues” – a pseudo anthem for women scorned. Inasmuch as the lyrics and subject matter are melancholic, sullen is not the mood of the band. This one’s full fledged funk at its finest.
Laura’s folk roots come front and center on “Mama Don’t Cry”. With Rich and Charlie doing some classic so called front porch pickin’ on a resonator and a mandolin alongside her, Laura sounds absolutely angelic on the inspirational and uplifting lyrics.
“All The Kings Men” may very well be the track that completely showcases Laura’s vocal skills. With control being the only constant, she displays a well diversified range, tone, style, strength and attitude throughout the song. With Rob, Art and Bill all over the rhythm on the drums, bass and piano; and Rich lighting it up on an extended mid-song guitar solo, it’s a musical monster as well.
So, remember what I said about the opening track? Well just replace Bob with Bill Murray on piano and Rich with Aaron Griffin on guitar and call this the “B side”. Surely equally excellent musically and where as Laura had a ‘bone to pick” with her guy, her now telling him ‘I don’t want to be your “Baby No More” is a perfect segue.
As with most of the tracks, the disc closes with a similar storyline. That said, this time Laura is on the receiving end of the hurt. “Don’t Know Why”, finds her having a very hard time accepting the fact that she’s the one being left. As she emotionally pleads for him to stay, her pain can be clearly heard. On what is the disc’s most traditional blues, Rich is apparently feeling that pain, as well. The two minute, scorching blues guitar licks he closes out the song with are as good as it can possibly get. Great slow blues song.
Other tracks on this fantastic release include: “Still In Love”; “That’s Right”; “Pretty Little Thing”; and “Cry”.
I happen to know for a fact that Laura is using time spent not gigging on doing some serious self promoting. That said, with the talent already in place, should she be lucky enough to get this disc into the right hands, I not only see her having a hit with it but maybe a “New Artist” or “Debut CD” nomination, as well.
To find out more about Laura Green just go to – www.lauragreenmusic.com. As usual, when you talk to Laura, please tell her the Blewzzman sent you.
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 Keeping the Blues Alive Recipient
