(1CD)
BIOGRAPHY
The music of blues bands in and around the Central and Finger Lakes regions of New York are plentiful. One such act that has made an impression on blues aficionados since their inception in 1985, is the NorthSide Blues Band. This release, Nothin' But Tone is a culmination of hard work by the talented efforts and musicianship of friends who have been performing together since joining forces when band leader, vocalist, harp player and guitarist Phil Bauso asked the simple question, "Do you want to play the blues?"
In 1985 Bauso started up the band which featured bassist Dave D'Alberto, drummer Chris Sawyer and Hammond B-3 wizard Steve McNally. After a year on the local club scene the band became a trio, with McNally moving on to other projects. In 1987 Phil's brother Chris Bauso joined the group on guitar. The band has remained the same ever since.
The NorthSide Blues Band quartet has carved a distinguished niche on the blues scene and are proud of Nothin' But Tone, the follow-up to their independently released 1994 cassette Take Me To The City.
The NorthSide Blues Band plays both traditional and urban styles of blues including in their live performances, rearrangements of standard blues numbers and a fresh mix of original compositions. They'll make you rock, swing, and boogie.
Their live appearances cover a repertoire of songs by such artists as Muddy Waters, Son Seals, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Elmore James, and many more, complementing the diversity of their original songs.
Nothin' But Tone features a cross-section of the blues including swing, shuffles and grinding slow blues. From the opening call-and-response groove of "Grandma Plays The Numbers," a 1948 song written by one of the original "blues shouters," Wynonie "Mr. Blues" Harris (a native of Omaha, Nebraska) to the closing harp-laced instrumental, "Chromazone," Nothin' But Tone has plenty to offer.
The majority of songs were penned by Phil Bauso, with the exception of "Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days," which was recorded by Louis Prima in the '50s, and the Aaron "T-Bone" Walker song "Glamour Girl."
Bauso writes from experience and tells his stories straight-ahead. "Got To Get My Baby Back" was a song that was first written ten years ago, being revived with a double-shuffle and harmony vocals.
It's best to throw Nothin' But Tone on yer favorite player and take a listen, with such songs as "Obliging Woman," "Slow Drive," "I've Got This Thing," "Lovin' Man," "Goin' Out Tonight," "I Get A Bad Feeling," and "Without Me / Without You," bringing you 'round to the blues side of town.
The NorthSide Blues Band is coming your way. Not only can you catch 'em on the northside, but on the southside of Chicago, the eastside of New York, the westside of Los Angeles, and all points in between, including Omaha.