Westbound Train – Come And Get It (2009)

The latest band I have been loving a whole lot recently has been Westbound Train. One of Hellcat's newest releases, Hellcat Records being one of my all time favorite labels, so I had to check these guys out and have been thoroughly impressed. They are the perfect summer time band, as their style reminds me of an ice cold Pacifico on a hot summer day, both refreshing and intoxicating. Obi Fernandez is the vocalist, and also plays the trombone which I find to be pretty fucking sweet. The boys out of Boston are primarily a ska band, with a definite Motown feel, something they mix into their reggae vibe very seamlessly. The ska side is best represented on tracks like "Check Your Time", my favorite song. Then they get very R&B with jams like "Ain't Gonna Be Easy". Their bio on the Hellcat Records website compares them to Otis Redding, which I feel is right on the money. Then they sort of blend the two styles together, see "Salvation". Awesome lyrics accompany the smooth groove, so if you're looking for a fresh summer time band to kick off the 09' sunshine, I would say run, don't walk, to pick up the appropriatly titled Come and Get It by Westbound Train.

*I also really liked the album art in case all those album art critics were wondering!

Eli "Paperboy" Reed @ Lola's Room

Mr. Reed is a showman. And his band kicks ass. He croons, he screams, and his banter is rehearsed and friendly. The crowd was sparse, but the band came to play and put on a show. They were raw, they were rough, and they sounded great. Their music filled the room and more than made up for the lack of audience. I could feel the horns' vibrations in my beer. Over the course of the set, I heard in his voice a number of soul stars that I love but never got to see live because I was born too late, including a little Otis Redding, a little Wilson Picket, and a whole lot of Joe Tex. But he also reminded me of some of the other lesser known southern soul singers like James Carr and Arthur Alexander, emotive southern singers coming out of Muscle Shoals. His voice is gritty and warm and he nails the deep and scratchy scream. I can just imagine him running the Chitlin' circuit, working the crowd until they are sweaty and tired from dancing. This was one of those concerts that seals the deal, moving me from a casual appreciator to a fan. I'd go see him again live in a heartbeat. I can only imagine what he'd do with a full house.

Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere - Nudge It Up A Notch (2008)

What’s up gang? It’s been a minute or two since I got it together and found my way down to the record store. But I found this gem and felt obliged to share it with yall’. Steve Cropper used to play guitar and write songs for Otis Redding, The Blues Brothers, and Jeff Beck. Also, he played with Booker T & the MGs for a long time, no big deal. He teamed up with Felix Cavaliere the singer for “The Young Rascals”, and needless to say, they cooked up some tasty R&B/Rock gumbo. They have a super soulful, light and breezy sound. The kind of sound where it would be impossible to be in a bad mood and listen to them jam. You could get rear ended in your car and be like, “It’s Okay! No insurance info necessary! I have Cropper and Cavaliere on the stereo!” Also, on a random note, I have no doubt that they would be the best wedding reception band of all time, ever. Tracks like, “One of Those Days” “To Make It Right” “Impossible” and “If I Wasn’t Lovin You” would bring the house down. “Full Moon Tonight” and “Without You” also rip. The only thing I don’t like is their name. It’s too long and complicated. If I were them I would change it to “Chicken and Waffles”. Quickcrit gang, your thoughts?