Chicago Bob and the Blues Squad

Band Reviews

PETER “BLEWZZMAN” LAURO © Sep 2024

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Chicago Bob And The Blues Squad

Gonna Hit The Bricks
. Retrofit Records

Bands like Chicago Bob And The Blues Squad are one of the many reasons I love what I do. If it wasn't for doing these reviews, there are scores of bands I would not have come in contact with and that means I, like many of you, would have missed out hearing some good music from some very good local and regional artists. This band is one of them.

Occasionally, I'll write about albums where when I read the names of who the members of the band played with it sounds like I'm reading a festival lineup. The bottom line is, although that reads well, it doesn't always sound well. With Chicago Bob And The Blues Squad, you won't find impressive resumes, but you will hear some very good traditional blues; with some very good and humorous, non-traditional lyrics; from a very good bunch of musicians.

Chicago Bob And The Blues Squad are a bunch of transplants from both coasts and the mid-west who are now collectively pleasing audiences in Arizona. They are: front man and bandleader "Chicago Bob" Frascone on vocals and harp; Bob Tencer and Pete O'Reilly on guitar; Gordon Jennings on bass; Carlos B. Jones on drums; along with guest vocalist Kristin "Little Ms. Kris" Jennings on "Hound Dog", the only cover among ten original tracks.

Once Carlos joins in on the drums, following Gordon's deep bass lines on the intro, it's immediately obvious the rhythm on "Whatcha Gonna Do" will indeed be a profound one. Once Pete and Bob T. get the sparring session going on lead guitars, the track becomes one heck of a production. Lyrically, because Chicago Bob's got no money and can't pay his bills; his woman left him because she had her fill; his cat married a mouse; his chickens they won't lay; his dog won't listen no matter what he'll say; his hog is on a diet; his horsey threw a shoe; and bad luck sticks to him like glue; the poor sap thinks he has no life. After hearing the next verse, I gotta say I agree with him.

"It's Over" is a toe tappin' shuffle and from what I'm hearing Chicago Bob say, I'm quickly thinking a pattern is developing here. The abuse he's taking from his woman culminates when he hears her on the phone saying "c'mon over tonight, he won't be home". That's it, she's outta here, and as the title of the song clearly states, it is indeed over! Musically, Pete and the Bobs create quite the blues sandwich: Pete starts things off with some spicy guitar leads; followed by Chicago Bob blowing some tasty harp; then Bob T. tops things off with some of his savory guitar licks; which all add up to a delicious mid-song musical interlude.

The fast pace the guys are laying down on this one is perfect traveling music.....the kind that's perfect for when you're "Gonna Hit The Bricks". Although that term is usually associated with walking, I'm thinking that's way too slow for Chicago Bob. He needs to get outta Dodge like really fast, and from that speeding locomotive sound he's blowing on his harp, a train just might be the ticket.

This one's called "You're So Spoiled" and for the life of me, even though it may be true, I cannot understand why Chicago Bob has a problem with it. Ya see, his girlfriend's daddy has a lot of money and some of the things that bother him include: her driving a Porsche (while he drives a broken-down old truck); her vacationing in Europe (while he spends his on his porch). Get over it, Bob, this song could be called "What The Hell Do I See In You?" and she could be singing it. Musically it's another rhythm fueled smoker that also features a lot of guitar work.....and the way these two smoke, that's a good thing.

So, with the word mid about to soon be removed from me being in my mid-seventies, I've sadly been to my share of funerals, and I can't begin to tell you how many sentimental, humorous and downright bizarre things I've seen be buried with the deceased. However, I gotta think that Mrs. Chicago Bob might not want to fulfill her husband's request to "Bury My Motorcycle Next To Me". C'mon, it's a Harley! She's either gonna sell it, ride it, or - if she's like any of the other woman he sings about in his songs - give it to her boyfriend...😊. Musically, Gordon and Carlos are in a solemn rhythm groove; Pete and Bob T. are taking turns laying down some slow and low-down dirty blues licks; and the Harley rider himself is emotionally belting out some slow and soulful blues; this is real deal stuff right here.

On her only appearance on the disc, Kristin does a fabulous job of covering "Hound Dog" (J. Leiber, M. Stoller), the song made famous by Big Mama Thornton then sung by just about everyone who ever stood in front of a mic - regardless of genre - and that's a strong testament for the song. When being sung by a woman, the song requires sass, confidence, range, a bit of growl, and of course a good singing voice. For this rendition, "Little Ms. Kris" easily checked all the boxes.

So, my favorite sound to ever come out of a harmonica came from the hands and mouth of Jimmy Reed. For me, there is nothing like hearing that high end, note stretching stuff. Once I heard that sound kicking off "Money Grows On Trees", I knew I'd be all over this one. Of course, the guys are working their usual magic behind him, but Bob may just be at disc's best right here. Lyrically, the mirth and merriment continue. As Bob tells it, because his wife spends money like it grows on trees, he decided to call the doctor 'cause she's got a spending disease. That's exactly why that Harley will never get buried with you, Bob.

Other interesting (just listen to their titles) tracks on this excellent release include: "You Is A Dirty Rat"; "One Foot In The Grave"; "Two Legged Dogs"; and "Yell, Scream & Holler".

If you've not yet received a copy of Gonna Hit The Bricks for airplay, please contact Gordon Jennings at - chicagobobandthebluessquad@gmail.com - and should like to find out more about Chicago Bob & The Blues Squad, just go to their website - www.ChicagoBobandtheBluesSquad.com. Remember, when you contact them, please tell them their new fan the Blewzzman sent you.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © Sep 2024

Retrofit Records Music

OMG! I have to say honestly that I am so freakin' proud of this record! As a producer, I am probably the most critical of everyone and everything so when I listen to an album I produced, I'm looking for problems and mistakes first. I compared all of the tracks to see that they flow together, are equalized similarly and the sequence doesn't clash. Well, I am here to tell you that this thing is flawless and a true work of art. I can hear this album being played on every blues radio station and in the background of every party and barbecue in existence. If you know me, you also know how critical I am about this kind of stuff so for me to say that, Its saying a lot. To get into some of the "meat" of the matter, I had some concerns going in. The first was that as a rule the guys play it by the book. They are flat out Old School style Chicago Blues and after listening to them I don't think anybody I've heard does it better. The arrangements are kept pretty simple and "safe", (Nothing is flashy or overplayed), which doesn't always work. In this case, it works perfectly. They have me hanging on every measure. Every part of every track is a standout and showcases just what "master players" these guys are. My second concern was Bob's really thick Chicago accent. Lord knows I tease him mercilessly about it. Truth is though, I'm from the area. My whole family talks like that. I've been out on the west coast long enough that I've pretty much lost my Chuh Kah Go inflections. One of the beautiful things about this album is that Bob's voice and patois makes it authentic as hell. When I listen to it, I am immediately transported back in time to the early days of greats like Cab Calloway etc. Its just beautiful. Plain and simple. There are many very accomplished people who try to emulate this sound and style but fall short. Chicago Bob & the Blues Squad don't emulate it. They are it. They don't try to do it, They do it and it's completely natural for them. My hats off and my deepest respect goes out to them on a job extremely well done! Keep an eye on this space and on their FB pages etc.

Christian M. Berry - September 2024

Prescott Blues Notes

“These guys were smoking! If you haven’t seen Chicago Bob & The Blues Squad yet, and you dig old-style, traditional Chicago blues…You’ve got to see them. They are the real deal. I saw them Saturday at The Raven and the place started jumping when they did their sound check!”

— Prescott Blues Notes and on Facebook

Across the Street Prescott

“I started out on Friday night at the Founding Fathers Collective to see Chicago Bob and The Blues Squad, and I’m very glad I did. This is a very exciting new ensemble playing Chicago-style blues interspersed with some originals, Texas blues, and West Coast swing. I highly recommend you check them out; you don’t want to miss this band, trust me.” - Andrea Ramey, Columnist Across the Street

— Daily Courier, Prescott, AZ

Northern Arizona Blues Alliance

“Wow! Chicago Bob! What can I say other than in over 50 years of performing I have never encountered a more authentic and as highly an entertaining and dynamic traditional Chicago style blues entertainer. Aside from having "chops for days," his personality is such that everyone who sees and hears him instantly falls in love. Yeah, he's a charmer alright and his stories and banter with the audience sets him miles apart from his nearest competitors. He's the real deal and he's humble and down to Earth to boot. Whenever I am asked by a radio station, magazine or club, etc. who I recommend they listen to, my first response is always Chicago Bob! I have used him on occasion to cover for when my regular blues harp player can't make it and every single time, the next time that I play at that particular venue they always ask, "Hey, where's that Chicago Bob guy?” That's no easy feat when you consider that my regular blues harp player is Taul Paul Epoch who is considered one of the world's best. And now, Bob has been joined in his band by some of the best players in our area and maybe even the state. My good friend Garry Segal, for example, is a monster that could easily handle the entire show by himself! But like me, he knows who’s the boss when he sees them! These guys have definitely been at the head of their class in "Blues School" for quite awhile. What a pure joy and education to watch them at work! If you want to see the best there is, you need look no further than Chicago Bob and The Blues Squad. They bring it and you'll definitely know they did when you hear them!”

— Christian Michael Berry

NAZBA President