Frank Catalano and Lurrie Bell — “Set Me Free” — Catalano Music
This fine album has been out for a few months, but I can’t ignore it any longer. It’s too good. Not that I was actually ignoring it, you understand.
“Set Me Free” combines the elegant jazz phrasings of jazz veteran Frank Catalano’s sax with the toughness of blues stalwart Lurrie Bell’s guitar and vocals. The album, produced by Catalano and released on his own label, is a heady blend of jazz and blues, with a mix of classic covers and originals, plus a sprinkling of sprightly instrumentals. The talented supporting cast consists of Tom Vaitsas on piano, Aaron Mitter on bass, and Kurt Lubbe on drums.
A little background on these talented music veterans is in order here. Both men have worked their way through devastating life events. Catalano and Bell are both Chicago natives and have worked that music scene for decades. Catalano started playing saxophone when he was 7 years old (Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson at age 12, and Tony Bennett at age 16, for starters), and has since played with numerous artists across a wide spectrum of music, including jazz and blues. He released his first solo album “Cut It Out “on Delmark Records in 1988. At 16, Catalano was in a life-threatening car accident that cut off a finger on his hand. Following reconstructive surgery, he was able to restart his career.
Bell, the son of famed harmonica player Carey Bell, has also had a storied career. In his teens he played with Eddy Clearwater, Big Walter Horton, and Eddie Taylor, and toured with Koko Taylor for four years. His first solo album, “Everybody Wants to Win,” came in 1989. After treatment for debilitating bipolar and schizophrenia illnesses, Lurrie released “Can’t Shake This Feeling” in 2016, which received a Grammy nomination.
They’ve joined forces here to bring you a taste of the best of both their worlds, with magical musical results. This effervescent session opens with a bright, upbeat version of the blues chestnut, “Everyday I Have the Blues,” with Bell’s liquid guitar solo and Vaitsas’ piano floating throughout. Catalano’s honking sax drives everything home.
They follow that with another cover, a smooth and sensuous take on Elmore James’ “The Sky Is Crying,” styled deliciously like the opening track. Bell’s gruff but expressive vocals highlight both cuts. The title track is a glorious jazz-inflected shuffle that lets everyone shine.
“Shaking” is a sax-laced jazzy instrumental tapestry with Bell’s light guitar accents. The classic “Georgia on My Mind” opens with an elegant sax solo followed by Bell’s rich vocal turn. “Tuna Town” is an original instrumental that lets Catalano soar on sax. Bell’s tough vocals enrich “I’m Ready,” the quintessential blues from Willie Dixon/Muddy Waters. “Kicking” is another sprightly jazz/blues instrumental with Catalano’s sax attack and Bell launching sharp blue guitar riffs. Everything comes to a haunting close with Bell’s aching version of Etta James’ “At Last.”
Catalano says of his music: “I love improvising and feeling the vibrations of the music … I’m honored that Lurrie wanted to record together and feel this album is definitely about bringing people together. I think people will really enjoy our versions of “At Last” and “Georgia on My Mind” as well as the blues standards and originals.”
And Bell says: “I’ve been playing since I was 5 or 6 years old. The blues caught my ear and I never looked back. The blues speaks to the facts of life. I wake up and hear the blues in my ear; the blues is always with me.”
Both of these artists have lived their lives through their music, and that spirit shines on “Set Me Free.” You should let it shine on you.
“Set Me Free” from the album:
Tracklist and credits:
01. Everyday I Have The Blues
02. The Sky Is Crying
03. Set Me Free
04. Shakin’
05. Georgia On My Mind
06. Tuna Town
07. I’m Ready
08. Kicking
09. At Last
Lurrie Bell: vocals, guitar
Frank Catalano: saxophone
Tom Vaitsas – piano
Aaron Mitter – bass
Kurt Lubbe – drums
Blues Roadhouse 