Lucky Losers — “Arrival” — MoMojo Records

I’m a little behind on a few fine new releases from the last couple of months — no excuses, just late. Rest assured that those responsible have been placed on a severely reduced libation ration.

One of the best of those albums, reaching way back to its long-ago release date of Nov. 7, is “Arrival,” from the dynamic West Coast blues duo, The Lucky Losers.

The San Francisco-based Losers, a five-piece, six-time Independent Blues Award-winner, are more-than-lucky winners here, fronted by the soulful vocals of Cathy Lemons and the harmonica wizardry of Phil Berkowitz, who shares in their wide-ranging, always spot-on, vocal stylings. “Arrival” is the group’s sixth album, and their debut on the MoMojo label (a division of Nola Blue, Inc.), home to a growing collection of vital, independent roots artists.

Of these 11 original songs, five were written by Lemons (co-writers: Kid Andersen and Chris Burns) and five by Berkowitz (co-writers: Danny Caron and Chris Burns). The criminally talented Andersen also produced and engineered this sparkling session.

Adding to the musical magic are Doug James on tenor sax, Mike Rinta on trombone and John Halbieb on trumpet, Burns and Andersen on keys, Simon Govan Smith on guitars, Edgar San Gabriel on bass, and Jon Otis on drums.

Lemons says: “Arrival” is our breakthrough album, and the most personal music I’ve ever written. Out of the 11 tracks, I contributed five songs that pushed me to take real risks. For example, ‘I Believe Her (Because I Am Her)’ confronts childhood sexual abuse. The line, ‘I believe her, because I am her—who don’t believe me, my own mother,’ comes directly from my life. “Pig Iron Tough” reflects on the ‘made-of-steel’ resilience it takes to survive touring. That song is rooted in my childhood when I moved 15 times before the age of 17; ‘got no friends, always new in town, until you move again.’

Berkowitz adds: “Looking back, I wasn’t supposed to be a musician. I grew up in a not so typically dysfunctional 60s/70s suburban household in New Jersey.  My mother died when I was ten years old.  I was sent off to camp for nine consecutive summers, diagnosed with ADD HD, long before the term became a household word, and sent to therapists.  I guess the song ‘Misfit Kids’ comes straight from my life. ‘Sunday Stroller’ is probably my best work because people instantly respond to it …. When I wrote these songs with Danny Caron and Chris Burns, these stories came so naturally. These songs are personal reflections and characters I created. “Arrival” has brought my songwriting full circle.”

All of that finely crafted personal songwriting sparks an album rich with human experience, enthusiastically delivered by Lemons and Berkowitz, flowing effortlessly through a variety of genres from folk to funk.

It all kicks off with some of that funky feeling from Lemons in “S-C-A-M,” a contemporary warning to the unsuspecting and a special shoutout to Elon Musk, all kicked along by a furious horn section. “Sunday Stroller” finds Berkowitz rocking a bluesy message about a “big high roller” with his vocals and sharp harp.

An album highlight is Lemons’ rich, soulful vocal on “Pull on The Rope,” with its deep gospel feel. “Play It From the Heart” is a sweet uptempo ballad with Berkowitz and Lemons blending vocals with love and a gently swinging vibe. The sultry blues of Lemons’ “I Believe Her (Because I Am Her)”-delivers her angry tale of the sexual abuse of young women, with mournful harp embellishment by Berkowitz. . “Sorry Brother” highlights Berkowitz on harp, and “My Father’s Son” is another thoughtful personal tale from Berkowitz.

“Pig Iron Tough” brings back a funky beat pairing Lemons’ soaring vocals with Berkowitz’s horn-like harp, weaving a message of personal toughness. “Don’t Let It Slip Away” is a horn-fueled R&B slow dancer with Lemons’ torchy vocal polishing this soulful gem of a song. Berkowitz’s autobiographical “Misfit Kids” is a bouncy tale of life emerging for just that — a misfit kid.

“Ain’t The Marrying Kind” is the whimsical countrified closer, a Berkowitz-Lemons penned duet with Andersen on acoustic guitar and Berkowitz on harp. It adds a sweet touch of front porch intimacy to this jaunty finale.

The Lucky Losers are indeed arriving as talented winners in “Arrival,” with their thoughtful personal songwriting, engaging vocals and infectious musicality. Put them on your list for the new year!

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“Pull on the Rope” from the album:

Tracklist:
01. S-C-A-M
02. Sunday Stroller
03. Pull on The Rope
04. Play It From the Heart
05. I Believe Her
06. Sorry Brother
07. My Father’s Son
08. Pig Iron Tough
09. Don’t Let It Slip Away
10. Misfit Kids
11. Ain’t The Marrying Kind