BLUES JUNCTION Productions
7343 El Camino Real
Suite 327
Atascadero, CA 93422-4697
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Kid Ramos has just released his first solo album since 2001’s Greasy Kid Stuff. This March release on Rip Cat Records is entitled Old School. Like the title implies it is a down home, old school recording.
So, what has Ramos been up to since 2001. Quite a bit actually. In 2001, he was winding down his long stint as the full-time guitarist with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. He soon left that band and their relentless touring schedule to stay closer to home and be able to spend more time with his young family. He played guitar on a few albums by the Delta Groove Music’s “house band” The Mannish Boys. He made two terrific CDs with the Southern California based Los Fabulocos and made a couple more albums with the hard charging 44s. He could be found sitting in and playing all over Southern California, perhaps most notably with guitarist Tommy Harkenrider’s The Memphis Kings on a fairly regular basis. Oh yeah….and for good measure he beat back a rare form of cancer. Now, after a long battle, that insidious disease is in complete remission.
The fact is David “Kid” Ramos is no longer a kid. Even his kids aren’t kids anymore. His youngest Johnny has joined what the senior Ramos refers to in the liner notes, as "the family business.” That business, of course, is making music and Johnny is a third-generation professional musician. His grandparents were professional opera singers. His dad took another musical route and the fact that Johnny sings on two of this album’s thirteen tracks represents a wonderful kind of family symmetry. Johnny’s vocals can be heard on Magic Sam’s All Your Love and he really shines on the old Arthur Alexander tune Anna (Go To Him). Johnny Ramos is a young talent who we should all keep our ears on.
Johnny’s dad steps up to the mic and actually sings a couple of tunes on Old School. He is an effective singer and, after all these years, it is great to hear this aspect of his repertoire again. His first foray into this arena is via the old Buddy Holly tune Heartbeat. He also sings a tune from the famed Hollywood songwriting duo Livingston and Evans, Mona Lisa.
Other guest vocalists include Kim Wilson who closes out the album with the T-Bone Walker classic High Society. It is the previous number, an original written and sung by Jon Atkinson entitled Weight On my Shoulders, that is a real highlight. Atkinson has so many tools in his kit that his singing might be overlooked. In a blues world which at times seems slightly lacking of great vocalists, Big Jon’s contribution here is a very welcome treat.
This leads us to the album’s most conspicuous vocal presence, Johnny Tucker. To be fair, Tucker’s singing might best be described as an acquired taste. To be honest, I have yet to acquire that taste. However, being the senior member of the ensemble, he does bring an old school air to the proceedings. Of the five tunes in which he is heard, a personal favorite, the old spiritual, Jesus Come By Here, is the best fit for his instrument.
The musicianship is solid and for me that starts with the rhythm section. Here the ensemble is anchored by the bassist Kedar Roy and drummer Marty Dodson. Both musicians are in constant demand and can be found on some of the best blues recordings to come out over the past several years. To give you some idea as to the level of talent and dedication to their craft, neither of these stellar musicians has won a Blues Music Award which places them alongside the best in the business.
Bob Welsh plays both piano and organ on various tunes and Danny Michel plays rhythm guitar on two tracks. The ensemble is superb and provides great support for the musical vision and stellar guitar work of Ramos.
The album’s three instrumental tracks are where Ramos’ guitar prowess is used to great effect and finds a comfortable place in the spotlight. The album’s opening number is an original tune called Kid’s Jump. It is a tribute to B.B. King. The second instrumental, another original, Mashed Potatoes and Chile is also a lot of fun. It sounds like this tune could have been pulled right off of B.B.’s Spotlight on Lucille, King’s all instrumental album, and one of my all-time favorites from B.B.’s vast catalogue. Here on Mashed Potatoes and Chile, Ramos’ articulate guitar playing is supported by Welsh’s organ riffs and the two, along with Dodson and Roy, really swing and swing hard. On the third instrumental, Ramos ventures into territory also mapped out more than half a century ago. This time it is the language of Wes Montgomery that is explored by Ramos. On the tune Wes Movin’ Ramos reimagines Montgomery’s Bumpin’ from the latter’s 1960’s Verve era catalogue.
The entire album was recorded at Jon Atkinson’s Big Tone Studios using all analog equipment and vintage microphones. It was recorded live on tape using two tracks. That is old school and part of what makes this record very special.
Old School covers a wide gamut of styles within the context of vintage music, but never feels contrived or forced in any way. These are real pros led by an old school dude who has spent a lifetime playing with the greatest musicians of this or any other generation for that matter. Kid Ramos feels right at home playing this wonderful music.
It’s good to have you back Kid even though you never really went anywhere…but home.
- David Mac
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BLUES JUNCTION Productions
7343 El Camino Real
Suite 327
Atascadero, CA 93422-4697
info