Blues Roadhouse

Dave Keyes — “Two Trains” — MoMojo Records

Dave Keyes has put more than 40 years into his two-fisted blues and boogie keyboard work, plus his singing and songwriting, working with countless rock and blues legends, and still finding time for his own illustrious career.

The culmination of all that is “Two Trains,” his eighth album, and a superb musical statement about his journey through American roots music.

“For me this album is about coming home to my roots and paying tribute to all the styles that have influenced me since I was a kid,” Keyes says. “Blues, boogie, country blues, urban blues, gospel and some funky stuff. From Ray Charles to Leon Russell and everyone in between. I’m not a purist, but I respect my roots, and I stand on the shoulders of those that have gotten me here.”

Keyes gets first-rate assistance here from Bernard Purdie and Frank Pagano on drums, John Putnam on guitar and pedal steel, Jeff Anderson and Mike Merritt on bass, Rob Paparozzi on harmonica, Hasan Bakr on percussion, Chris Bergson on slide guitar, Alexis P. Suter and Vicki Bell on background vocals. The late acoustic guitarist Woody Mann plays and sings Big Bill Broonzy’s “Worrying You Off My Mind.” Keyes and songwriting partner Mark Sameth contribute eight of the ten sparkling tracks on the session.

The shuffling toughness of the opener, “Blues Ain’t Looking for You,” sets the tone for what’s in store, with a stinging guitar and sharp harp adding to its power. Keyes romps through “Boogie Till The Cows Come Home” with ferocious abandon before launching the swampy philosophy of the title track. “I’m Alright” is soaked with gospel enthusiasm and glorious call and response.

The soulful gem, “Long Way From Right, Right Now,” arrives with its mournful harp counterpoint to Keyes elegant piano. The complex social commentary of “What Just Happened” gives way to the simple rhythms of the piano instrumental, “Boogie For Patty,” with Keyes’ powerful left hand underlying the melodic boogie-woogie.

“Trust in Love and Fate” shines with optimism, and then Woody Mann shares vocal and guitar with Keyes, both shining on the old-time country blues of Broonzy’s “Worrying You Off My Mind.” The closer is the tender ballad, “Rest In Peace,” an eloquent tribute to his late wife, Pat Cannon,

Keyes says these songs “are topical, both on a personal level and on a world level. There is something here that everyone can relate to: love, loss, joy and pain and how we deal with it all.”

Dave Keyes has given us a fine sampler of music from his heart on “Two Trains.” It’s enjoyable on many levels, but the essence of his music is that it’s thoroughly enjoyable.

---

Here’s a sample of Dave Keyes live:

Tracklist and credits:

1. Blues Ain’t Lookin’ For You 3:26 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
2. Boogie Till The Cows Come Home-3:48 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
3. Two Trains 2:36 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
4. I’m Alright 5:49 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music/ Benny Turner- Nola Blue Music(BMI)
5. Long Way From Right Right Now 5:16 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
6. What Just Happened 3:00 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
7. Boogie For Patty 5:00 Dave Keyes/Keyesland Music ASCAP
8. Trust in Love and Fate 5:09 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP
9. Worrying You Off My Mind 3:17 w/special guest Woody Mann -William Lee Conley Broonzy/ Boot House of Tunes BMI
10. Rest In Peace 2:31 Dave Keyes, Mark Sameth/Keyesland Music ASCAP

Dave Keyes: Piano, B-3. Lead vocals
Bernard “Pretty “Purdie: Drums tracks 1,3, 8
Frank Pagano: Drums tracks 2,4,6, plus Background Vocals tracks 1,2,3,4,6,8
John Putnam: Guitar tracks 1,2,3,4,6,8 and Pedal Steel on track 4
Jeff Anderson: Bass tracks 1,3,8
Mike Merritt: Bass tracks 2,4,6
Rob Paparozzi: Harmonica tracks 1,3,4,5,6
Hasan Bakr: All Percussion
Chris Bergson: Slide guitar track 8
Alexis P. Suter and Vicki Bell: Background Vocals tracks 1,3,4,6
Woody Mann: Guitar and vocal Track 9