Red’s Blues
Old Diamonds & Uncut Gems
Recorded Live At The Starlet Room
Sherry & Ray Music
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © July 2024
Old Diamonds & Uncut Gems is the fourth release for Sacramento based Red’s Blues. It was recorded live at the Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA on October 4, 2023. I could be wrong, but my interpretation of the album’s title has me thinking that it’s a clever way of letting the listener know that in addition to some of their previously recorded songs – ‘the old diamonds’ – the album does indeed contain five new originals – ‘the uncut gems’.
For this project, Red’s Blues consists of the husband and wife team of Richard “RW” Grigsby on bass, vocals and harmonies and Beth Grigsby on vocals and harmonies; and the bands other two regulars – Doug Crumpacker on guitar, vocals and harmonica; and Tim Wilbur on drums, percussion and vocals. Their special guests include: Sid Morris on piano, organ and vocals; Robert Sidwell and Jon Lawton on guitar; Dave Earl on harmonica; John Cocuzzi on piano; and Marty Deradoorian on saxophone. Of the fifteen song performance, eleven are band originals.
The opening track, “Broke Down In The Fast Lane”, is actually the title of the bands last album. Since I reviewed that one back in the fall of 2020, other than a musician change or two, not a lot has changed. This apparently true tale is about being in one of those “where in the hell is a cop when you need one?” situations. As Beth frankly states, “I’ve never cared much for the CHP, but now I’m praying for the blue lights to rescue me”. With car horns blaring as they whiz by and radiator fluid leaking and mixing with the rain, Beth’s hoping for an angel with a tow bar and a chain. This slowed down shuffle features an appropriate chug-a-long type rhythm by RW and Tim; a melancholic guitar vibe by Doug; and somewhat of a lively – almost optimistic that help is on the way – piano lead, by Sid.
If there was an upside to insomnia, Beth – or as she’s known by her fans, ‘Sacramento Red’ – may have discovered it. After tossing and turning all night long, wondering how it all went wrong, she woke up “Singing A Brand New Song”. Hmmm, maybe I should keep a pen and paper on my nightstand. Musically, while Robert and Sid take turns lighting up the guitar and piano leads, the rhythm section is laying down an island vibe that had to have this crowd movin’ and grovin’.
Now, I have no idea what kind of a venue the Starlet Room is, but the picture Beth’s vocals are painting on this sultry presentation of a song called “Poor Girl”, has me imagining her in a tight fitting floor length dress, dazzling an appreciative crowd in a dimly lit, smoke filled jazz lounge. That said, with the smooth and jazzy groove they’re in behind her, the band seems to be supporting my thoughts. Very well done track.
When this one came on, I knew I immediately recognized it from my last review. That said, here were my thoughts then and I’m stickin’ to them…..”As many times during this track that you might want to shout out “Wooly Bully” – and there will be several – don’t! This one is titled “Forty Years Of Trouble” (RW & B Grigsby) and musically, Sid’s organ led rhythm is a bit reminiscent of that Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs classic…..” That said, this version does get taken to a whole other level with a monster performance by Marty on saxophone. Ya gotta step it up at a live show and on this one, Red and the guys did just that.
These next two songs create an interesting segue. The first one is a smokin’ shuffle called “Stonebroke” (Gary Primich). It features Beth belting out bluesy lyrics about financial woes. It seems that no matter how hard she tries, she’s gonna be stonebroke till the day she dies. Musically, this is one of my favorite tracks. RW (bass), Tim (drums) and Sid (piano) are in a fabulous foot tappin’, head bobbin’, body swayin’ groove; Robert’s lead guitar work is some of his best; and as you might expect on a Gary Primich track Dave is tearing it up on his fiery harp leads.
On the second of these two songs, things seem to have turned around for Beth, ’cause she’s quite happy to let us know that she “Ain’t Worried No More” (Mike Morgan). Yep, things are looking up and the sun is shining bright. Musically, the groove is as tight as above, but with Jon Lawton killing it on the slide guitar, things definitely get taken up a few notches on this one. At song’s end, the crowd’s raucous applause is a testament to this one!
Well, my interpretation of the album’s title – as good as I thought it was – wasn’t even close. On “Lizzie’s Blues”, while Beth pays homage to Memphis Minnie – it all becomes clear:
“Well Memphis Minnie, I wish I could say I knew you when;
Yeah Memphis Minnie, I wish I could say I knew you when;
’cause you were a pure diamond in an uncut gem.
“In a world full of men, you were the queen of the guitar;
In a world full of men, you were the queen of the guitar;
Ran miles in those shoes, nobody knew how far.”
Great slow blues number with heartfelt vocals; tight laid-back rhythm; piercing blues harp notes from Doug; and another masterful performance from Jon with his scorching blues licks.
When you do a Floyd Dixon cover, you might as well let the piano player shine, right? Right! And on a track called “San Francisco Blues”, Sid does just that – not only with his fabulous piano leads but his vocals as well. That said, this five-and-a-half-minute long song also includes nearly a two-minute-long stunning guitar leads by Robert and Doug.
Other tracks on Old Diamonds & Uncut Gems include: “Looking For A Hustle”; “Road Scholar”; “Putting My Foot Down”; “Black Eyed Sally’s”; “Mighty Long Time” (Rice Miller); “Sally Lou”; and “Sherry Ann”.
To find out more about Red’s Blues just go to their website – www.redsbluesband.com. As usual, when you contact Beth or the band, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you. sent you.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
