Search - Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps :: Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps - Live

SIZZLING BLUES VOCALS WITH A TIGHT BAND - LIVE

Robert K. Payne | Upland, CA USA | 02/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't heard Teresa perform live in 12 years, doing covers in Pasadena. Since then, I have become a big fan of the songs from her debut CD, "The Whole Enchilada" and I couldn't wait to hear this live cd. After hearing it for the first time, I thought it would take some time before I got used to these new LIVE versions of songs that I have lived with since buying her previous CD. It did - about 2 hours. By the time I had listened through the entire cd a couple times, I was enjoying these tunes as much as I always had. All the strengths of the studio cd are present here - Teresa's passionate,blues-drenched vocals, plus skilled musicianship and the solid songwriting of Terry Wilson. In addition, this cd features much more of Teresa's fine New Orleans-style piano playing and gives each talented member of the Rhythm Tramps a chance to shine. After all, this is a band best known for their live shows and this cd captures them playing for a crowd of their most appreciative fans. The cd features 13 songs written or co-written by Terry Wilson, including 7 new ones. Among the hi-lights for me are : the "Little Feat" flavored "I Want a Love" featuring the precise drumming and percussion of James Cruce and Debra Dobkin, The soulful ballad "In My Dreams" showcasing tight harmonies & soulful sax playing of Jerry Peterson, The best version of "The Trouble With Angels" I've ever heard, Teresa's emotional vocals on the ballads "Something's Happening", "I Know What Love Can Do" and "Love is For All Time" (with an amazing guitar solo bt Billy Watts), The jump-out of -your -seat tunes "She's Got the Bug, "Shake a Leg", and "Trying Not to Laugh", and a very playful version of the standard "My Boy Lollipop, again featuring Jerry Peterson's sax work. My only complaint about this cd is that I so wanted to hear live versions of a couple other favorite tunes from the studio cd, "Dangerous" & "Meet My Maker" but I guess I will just have to wait and request them when I see the band live. If you want to hear some great Texas-style blues/rock featuring powerful vocals, great original tunes and tight playing, you need to get this CD - SOON."