Roomful of Blues — “Steppin’ Out” — Alligator Records
About 58 years and 55 musicians ago, in 1967, guitarist Duke Robillard and pianist Al Copley got together in Rhode Island and formed the band Roomful of Blues to re-create the grit of Chicago-style blues.
By 1970, they were exploring the sounds of R&B and jump blues from the 1940s and ’50s. Then they added a horn section, including saxman Rich Lataille, who’s still swinging with today’s Roomful.
While band members have come and gone, their joyous music rolls on, still swinging hard and wringing every last drop of musical pleasure from their little band that sounds so very big.
In addition to their band recordings, Roomful provided backing for notable albums with legends of the blues such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy McCracklin, Roy Brown, Big Joe Turner, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Earl King.
“Steppin’ Out” is Roomful’s 20th album, and its glorious 14 tracks do exactly that behind the sassy vocals of D.D. Bastos, the first female singer to record with the band. Roomful’s current lineup includes guitarist and bandleader Chris Vachon, who first joined in 1990, keyboardist Jeff Ceasrine, bassist John Turner, drummer Mike Coffey, baritone and tenor sax player Craig Thomas and trumpeter Christopher Pratt, plus Vachon, Lataille, and Bastos.
The album opens with sassy horns and rhythmic percussion kicking out a cover of Billy “The Kid” Emerson’s “Satisfied” behind Bastos’ swaggering vocal, and continues swinging its way through a choice assortment of little-known songs from well-known blues legends: Big Mama Thornton (“You Don’t Move Me No More”), Big Maybelle (“I’ve Got A Feeling” and “Tell Me Who”), Etta James (“Good Rocking Daddy”), Buddy & Ella Johnson (“Why Don’t Cha Stop It”), Jimmy McCracklin (“Steppin’ Up In Class”), Tiny Bradshaw (“Well Oh Well”), Z.Z. Hill (“You Were Wrong”), Smiley Lewis (“Dirty People”), and a supremely soulful rendition of James Wayne’s “Tend To Your Business,” with a gorgeous trumpet solo. (Complete track list and credits at end of post.)
“Steppin’ Out” is a sumptuous feast of timeless swinging blues by the equally timeless Roomful of Blues. Bastos’ passionate vocals, drenched in old-school R&B, carry the music to new heights. Enjoy this music soon and often.
Here’s “Steppin’ Up In Class” from the album:
Tracklist:
1. Satisfied 3:36 (William R. Emerson, Riverline Music, BMI)
2. You Were Wrong 2:50 (Z. Z. Hill, Bira Music, BMI)
3. Steppin’ Up In Class 3:27 (Don Robey, Jimmy McCracklin, EMI Unart Catalog, Inc., BMI)
4. Slippin’ And Slidin’ 2:52 (Edwin J. Bocage, Albert Collins, Richard W. Pennimen & James Smith, Bess Music Company & Sony/ATV Songs, LLC, BMI)
5. Please Don’t Leave 3:43 (Wilbert Smith, M. Jones Publishing Co., BMI)
6. Tell Me Who 2:34 (Billy Myles, Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc., BMI)
7. You Don’t Move Me No More 2:43 (Willie Mae Thornton, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMI)
8. Good Rockin’ Daddy 3:18 (Richard Berry & Joe Josea, Universal Music Careers, BMI)
9. Tend To Your Business 3:00 (Dave Bartholomew, EMI Unart Catalog, Inc., BMI)
10. Well Oh Well 2:44 (Henry Bernard, Sydney Nathan, & Myron C. Bradshaw, Ft. Knox Music, Inc.,/Trio Music Company, BMI/Quartet Music, ASCAP)
11. Why Don’t Cha Stop It 3:16 (Woodrow Buddy Johnson, Sophisticate Music Inc., BMI)
12. I’ve Got A Feelin’ 3:34 (Sidney J. Wyche, Primary Wave 3 Songs, BMI)
13. Dirty People 3:28 (Smiley Lewis, EMI Unart Catalog, Inc., BMI)
14. Boogie’s The Thing 2:50 (Writer and Publisher unknown)
Musicians:
DD Bastos Lead Vocals, Claves (7), Maracas (12)
Chris Vachon Guitar, Background Vocals (8, 14)
Jeff Ceasrine Keyboards, Background Vocals (8, 14)
John Turner Upright Bass
Mike Coffey Drums
Rich Lataille Tenor and Alto Sax
Craig Thomas Tenor and Baritone Sax
Christopher Pratt Trumpet
Blues Roadhouse 