Reviews

Here follow a few reviews of "Key To My Kingdom"

Real Blues - Canada

Enrico Crivellaro: Key To My Kingdom (Electro‑Fi)

Andrew Galloway, owner of Electro Fi Records is in an enviable position given that throughout the horrific two year slump in the music industry (and Blues especially) he's been one of the few Blues label operators who has managed to stay afloat mainly by not over‑extending himself and sticking to his original game plan of authentic Blues for authentic Blues lovers.

Because so many other North American labels have bitten the dust in the last 2 1/2 years (mainly thanks to the Valley Entertainment fiasco where one distributor destroyed over 50 indie labels by building up huge debts and then declaring bankruptcy) Electro‑fi has become one of the first labels people turn to now when trying to shop independent productions and the word amongst musicians is that Galloway is an odd character i.e. a label owner who is 100% trustworthy and altruistic with a goal of perpetuating the music rather than lining his pockets. And that is how, gems like "Key To My Kingdom" make it to Electro Fi.

It's a wonderful thing to consider that there are some young (under‑35) people out there that can appreciate the honesty and coolness of Blues (and related genres) and while it's too early to say that Crivellaro will save the millions of lost souls that have succumbed to Big Brother‑sponsored hiphop it does offer a shred of hope which is all we can ask for.

Crivellaro was at the forefront of the Swing craze as guitarist with The Royal Crown Revue, an award‑winning band that boasted bonafide talents on top of Zootsuits. While Swing has bitten the dust, (save for die‑hard pockets of Lindy Hoppers who'll never quit) it's a natural progression for Enrico to enter Blues fulltime given he's been studying and playing T‑Bone Walker, Charles Norris, Pete Guitar Lewis and Pee Wee Crayton anyhow.

Employed by the #1 talent scout on the West Coast, Mr. James "Gabby" Harman, (who guests on vocals on this disc) the blues world began to pay big attention to "that Italian swing guitarist".

As an artist on a meteoric rise, Enrico has been busy with a wide array of projects guesting on friends discs and generally building upon an already glowing rep. Produced by former Harman band member and now veteran producer Jeff Turmes (who knows exactly what the West Coast Blues sound is all about) and Enrico, it boasts a lineup of Finis Tasby (one of the greatest voices in Blues) on vocals, James Harman (vocals on two tracks), Bruce Katz (on organ and piano), Alex Schultz on guitar (on two tracks), Scott Steen on trumpet, Turmes on tenor sax, Rick Reed (Mr. Dependable) on bass and Steve Mugalion on drums. What a wonderful lineup, right? Well, check out the song list! Looks like somebody's got a real nice record collection as two beautiful but obscure Percy Mayfield songs "You're In For A Big Surprise" and "Stand By" share space with the great BB King "Key To My Kingdom" and Ruth Brown's "Rain Is A Bringdown", Donald Byrd's "Black Jack", the classic "The In Crowd" (why didn't somebody hit on this one before?) and the jazz instrumental "Black Coffee". There are also 4 great originals and the interwoven jazzy blues/bluesy jazz. numbers fit perfectly in with the straight modern blues (BB King style) numbers sung by Finis and the more lowdown Harman numbers. This is a total event to be experienced from start to finish it flows so smoothly and perfectly from one song into the next that one can't help but consider the production merits. A truly exquisite work of art this is and every second is sensual, sensory pleasure. This is as close to an in‑the‑mood Blues album I've ever heard. Finis Tasby's rich, nasal voice greets listeners on the opening track "You're In For A Big Surprise" whilst Enrico bums frets with total abandon. Very Nice! "Drinkin' Cheap Champagne From A Dixie Cup" has James Harman presence on top of Enrico's Texas/Oklahoma guitar and Katz lays down fine whorehouse piano. (This ditty proves that Harman is easily the Best fair‑skinned Blues vocalist in our solar system). "Key To My Kingdom" is just plain smooth groove with plenty of BB/Freddy pickin to go along with Finis' effortless vocals. "Walkin & Walkin" is a lowdown Dallas styled Blues workout that is a treat for the ears of old time jaded cynics. Yes, Crivellaro knows his way around a guitar but he also knows his history (blueswise). "The In‑Crowd" is taken in a jazzier context than anything else up to this point but the Fulson‑styled guitar keeps things anchored. "Rain Is A Bringdown" is the showpiece/case track for both Tasby and Crivellaro with smouldering intensity the apt description. Other standouts include "Help Me Flip Another Flop" (Harman oozes coolness despite his Gabby Hayes‑like appearance these days), "Train To Venice" and Turmes‑penned "Makin' Money". Look for this disc to have a long chart life and given that Crivellaro is still a young man it's always a blessing to have a dynamic, star level talent who just might turn the masses on to great music. 5 bottles for a disc that is classy, sexy, rivetting and a plethora of listening pleasure. They should all be this good. Enrico Crivellaro will be a household name now for Blues lovers.

A Grigg

Bad Dog Blues - USA

Ever since guitarist Enrico Crivellaro garnered the attention of Canadian audiences--- usually while accompanying harmonica ace Dave Rotundo--his name's been on the lips of "those-in-the-know". Here was a superbly gifted virtuoso, diffident by nature, yet an awesomely commanding presence onstage.

'Key To My Kingdom' will be a revelation for those unfamiliar with Crivellaro. Many blues connoisseurs associate Crivellaro with Janiva Magness: He was the "gun-for-hire" on her superb 1999 Blues Leaf label release. This boyishly handsome Italian-born artist also cemented his reputation backing up James "Icepick" Harman. Recently, he's been touring with soul guru Finis Tasby. Harman and Tasby handle the eight vocal tracks on 'Key To My Kingdom'.

Lyrical content was a guiding factor on song selection, so celebrated soul composer and cutting-edge wordsmith Percy Mayfield had the inside track. Two Mayfield classics became obvious picks, and Crivellaro's burning improvisations adorn Tasby's dignified vocals. "Stand By" has a knockout arrangement by any standards and the result is total fulfillment, while "You're In For a Big Surprise" is brimming with thoughtful horn riffs, a thundering organ solo by Bruce Katz, and a heavy Magic Sam-feel that Crivellaro and Company pull off expertly.

"Drinkin' Cheap Champagne" features Icepick at his demented best, and Crivellaro layers it with such raucously bent guitar work that Harman must have been chortling in his beer. Few singers ride the groove more assuredly than Harman, just witness "Help Me Flip Another Flop"---a funky uptown blues that seduces the ears. It features guitarist Alex Schultz dishing up a thick-toned solo, heavily influenced by Bay Area axe legend Johnny Heartsman.

B.B.'s "Key To My Kingdom" is majestic, and Enrico and Finis give it the royal treatment. "Walkin' and Walkin"-- the Little Milton reliable--is re-worked to haunting effect using a swampy guitar feel that would gladden the heart of Guitar Gable.

Crivellaro has a predilection for twisting the predictable into sounding fresh, as evidenced on Ramsey Lewis' "The In Crowd". Crank up the tempo, spin a Buddy Guy-guitar vibe, simmer with a modern r&b groove, add in Bruce Katz doing his best impression of Les McCann, and voila----a new instrumental delicacy.

No song rattled my cage more convincingly than "Rain Is A Bringdown", a heartfelt Ruth Brown song that had slipped into undeserved obscurity. Finis does a magnificent version, while Crivellaro's guitar digs deep into the crevices of the soul. A thunderbolt from the blue!

Crivellaro is more than another accomplished guitarist with a wide-ranging knowledge of the blues, jazz, and soul idioms at his fingertips. The edginess and intensity of the blues is often a dynamic counterpoint to the more relaxed vibe of the soul/jazz idioms, and this juxtaposition is especially apparent on the half-spoken soulful blues of "Makin' Money". Delight to the acerbic commentary of Finis Tasby, tagged by the hard-edged icy tones of Crivellaro's slicing guitar work.

The cool soulful/jazz stylings of the sixties are sublimely re-created on the instrumental "Train to Venice", a groove-alicious workout brimming with cascading keys, bossy horns, and especially Crivellaro's funky guitar, which hearkens back to the heyday of the Meters.

'Key To My Kingdom' marks the coronation of a new Prince of the Blues. Enrico Crivellaro should have ranks of willing new subjects, with bountiful reasons to enter his musical castle.

Gary Tate

Blues Matters! England

USA - ENRICO CRIVALLERO:

Key To My Kingdom

Electro-fi. 12 tracks. 54:41minutes.

As you may have guessed guitarist Enrico Crivallero is originally from Italy but he has form in the USA with a stint with James Harman who returns the favour here with vocals on two tracks, the rest being handled by another guest, Finis Tasby. What I first noticed about Enrico's playing is that it is well controlled with a laid-back swing that seems effortless. He almost plays behind the beat, which I suspect is why it seems to swing so well. This is a surprisingly varied collection of originals and covers from such diverse talents as Ruth Brown, Percy Mayfield, Billy ("The 'In' Crowd") Page and Blue Note funky trumpeter Donald Byrd, which adds a freshness to the sound. Throughout the keyboard honours are taken by Bruce Katz, immaculate on both B3 and piano and special mention is also due to Scott Steen for his funky contributions on trumpet. The production is great and Enrico's guitar has that clean tone with slight reverb that you associate with the likes of Anson Funderburgh so if all that gets your juices going this is for you. Canadian label Electro-fi has quietly been bringing us some class releases over the last few years and Enrico's debut is way up there with the best of them. A frequent visitor to my CD tray (and there's a lot of competition), this comes highly recommended.

Phil Aldridge

Blues in Britain - England

Snooky pryor – Mojo Ramble

Electro-Fi  E-fi 3381

Enrico Crivellaro – Key To My Kingdom

Electro-Fi  E-fi 3379

Fruteland Jackson – Blues 2.0

Electro-Fi  E-fi 3380

 Electro-Fi’s autumn release schedule features releases by three very different artists, with something to delight blues fans of most persuasions, from classic Chicago harp blues, via “modern” West Coast guitar driven blues, to country / acoustic blues.

Chicago blues comes courtesy of the irrepressible Snooky Pryor, who is recorded live at The L’il Big Horn Saloon in Cambridge, Ontario, where he is backed, formidably, by Mel Brown’s Homewreckers, featuring John Lee (piano / organ), Leo Valvassori (bass), Jim Boudreau (drums), and of course guitar meister Mel Brown.

Pryor, as usual, is in irresistible form, defying his eighty plus years with a performance that would shame artists a quarter of his age.  The set opens with “Dirty Rat”, an infectious shuffle that highlights the band’s command of the ensemble playing that characterized the classic Chi-Town blues of the 50s; rocking (and rolling) piano, tantalizing guitar fills and a tight, but swinging, rhythm section, underpinning Pryor’s tasty harp and expressive vocals; this magic formula repeated on the rollicking “Let Your Hair Down Woman”, the ebullient “Come On Down To My Place” and old favourite “Where Did You Learn To Shake It Like That”.

“Shake My Hand” is a Jimmy Reed styled blues, in the “Honest I Do” mould, with high register harp and mellifluous guitar accentuating the pathos that permeates Pryor’s vocals; whilst “I Learnt My Lesson Well” with it’s reflective harp and vocals, and beautifully understated guitar, is a walking blues with a distinctive Louisiana feel.  The old chestnut, “It Hurts Me Too”, opens in 40’s style, Pryor’s poignant vocals echoed by the subtle textures that pervade Brown’s guitar, before Lee’s organ segues in, adding a soulful and jazzy edge to the proceedings.  A wonderful set is rounded out by “Headed South”, a deep blues, in the Muddy style, where Brown’s subtley bent notes highlight and accentuate the depth and natural bluesiness of Pryor’s vocals.

Enrico Crivellaro is a native of Padova, Italy, who has built a formidable reputation due to his work with James Harman, and the Royal Crown Revue, with whom he won the ‘Swing Guitarist Of The year Award’, the influences of both of these acts being evident in this impressive solo debut.

Electro-Fi have assembled an all-star cast for this set, including Bruce Katz (assorted keyboards), Alex Schultz (guitar), Scott Steen (trumpet), Jeff Turmes (tenor sax), Rick Reed (bass) and Steve Mugalian (drums), with Finis Tasby (6 tracks) and James Harman (2 tracks) guesting on vocals.

The set opens with Percy Mayfield’s “You’re In For A Big Surprise”, a brooding blues with Tasby’s “cracked” vocals enhancing the frustrations that permeate this number, Crivellaro’s guitar “wailing” in sympathy, the vocal qualities he achieves in his playing, almost making this a duet.  Crivellaro achieves a sassy, big fat tone, in stark contrast to Tasby’s almost fragile, introspective vocals on “Key To The Kingdom”, Katz’ B-3 swells adding subtle textures to one of the best cover’s of a BB King number that I have ever heard.  “Walkin’ And Walkin’” rides a swampy Wolf type riff, Tasby achieving a fragile, almost Estes like intensity to his vocals, whilst Crivellaro’s guitar “sings” the blues as he employs subtle twists and turns  flavoured with a myriad shades of blue.  Jeff Turmes’ “Makin’ Money” takes another Wolf type riff and invests it with a modern soul blues feel (laced with country), the sly arrogance of Tasby’s vocals echoed by Crivellaro’s sleazy blues guitar, which itself is permeated with a lowdown funky edge.  Ruth Brown’s “Rain Is A Bringdown” and Percy Mayfield’s “Stand By” are Tasby’s other two vocals; the first a slow jazz inflected West Coast blues with a distinctive T-Bone Walker feel, the latter a jazzy swinger with relaxed vocals, baying horns, and deliciously sinuous, almost arrogant, string bending from Crivellaro.

James Harman takes the vocals on two cuts, “Drinkin’ Cheap Champagne” a laid back shuffle with reflective vocals and guitar; whilst “Help Me Flip Another Flop” is a minor masterpiece with a mesmerising guitar riff (Alex Schultz),  permeated with tantalisingly bent notes that perfectly complement Harman’s vocals whose vulnerability echoes the work of the great Fenton Robinson.

That leaves four instrumentals that perfectly showcase Crivellaro’s jazz credentials.  “The ‘In’ Crowd” features jazzy chording (Crivellaro) laid down over Katz’ bouncing piano, that chording laying down a delicious groove, underpinning Scott Steen’s funky trumpet on “Black Jack”.  The swinging jazz inflected R&B of  “Train To Venice” allows B-3 and trumpet to stretch out, whilst Crivellaro’s licks bring to mind both George Benson and Herb Ellis; which leaves us with “Black Coffee”, lonesome trumpet and B-3, and Crayton / Walker influenced guitar exquisitely creating a musical hologram of a late night / early morning on Beale Street.

Fruteland Jackson is a doyen of the acoustic blues scene, one of the finest performers in the genre, whose own compositions sit easily with classic blues songs of the past, evoking that feeling of timelessness that is a composite characteristic of the genre.  “Blues 2.0” is his follow up to “I Claim Nothing But The Blues”, and it not only matches the artistry he showed on that set, but eclipses it, a tribute to his talent as both a songwriter and a performer.

The title track is a  stunning opening to this set; a field holler, in the Leadbelly mould, with Jackson’s plaintive and anguished vocals extolling the fact that he still considers himself a “modern day slave”, the starkness of the delivery further enhance by a chanted chorus, the solitary instrument a “big boom drum”.  “Long Distance Love Affair” is a gem of a blues that rides an hypnotic banjo,  (Ken Whiteley) rhythm, Jackson proclaiming his blues in a voice shaded with elements of Jefferson, McTell and Arnold; Whiteley is again outstanding on the wistful “Blues On The Banjo”, and the Tampa Red styled “Moon Man Rag”, where Jackson’s jaunty vocals are a sheer delight.

“I Wonder” is a melancholy blues with laconic vocals and shimmering slide; melancholy again being the order of the day on the delightful loping harp, (Chris Whiteley), and guitar driven “My Pencil Won’t Write No More”, one of only two covers on this set, the other being a highly rhythmic “Big Road Blues”, with lilting harp and urgent vocals. 

Mel Brown guests on three tracks, providing the rollicking piano on “Laura Marie”, a fine blues that is enhanced by sudden changes in tempo; and he provides the sinewy electric guitar on “I Can Still Rock And Roll”, Jackson’s vocals laced with latent menace as it rides a “Dimples” styled bass riff.

The set is rounded out by the plangent blues ballad “How Could We Live Without Love”, Chris Whiteley providing poignant muted trumpet, and “The Lonely Traveller”, a heartfelt and poignant tribute to the late Jimmie Lee Robinson, replete with quirky guitar licks and the trademark whistling., making this an essential purchase for all lovers of quality acoustic blues.

Ratings 9 each

Mick Rainsford

Red Lick Records - England

ELECTRO-FI   ELECTRO3379

 You’re In For A Big Surprise, Drinkin’ Cheap Champagne, Key To My Kingdom, Walkin’ And Walkin’, The In Crowd, Rain Is A Bringdown, Black Jack, Stand By, Train To Venice, Help Me Flip Another Flop, Black Coffee, Makin’ Money.

As you know, James Harman has discovered more great guitar players than you can shake a stick at. In his band he’s had Hollywood Fats, Alex Schultz, Junior Watson and Kid Ramos on long term contracts and those boys are hotter than Madonna’s armpits! Enrico Crivellaro is one of the latest guitarists he’s had playing lead - now ain’t that a good reason for taking a listen to this CD?

The material is a nice mix of originals, an untouched B.B. King song, tunes from Ramsay Lewis, Percy Mayfield, Ruth Brown, Little Milton and a nod to Lou Donaldson and Donald Byrd.

Enrico doesn’t go for screaming, hysterical stuff, preferring to get into a chunky groove on his rhythm parts and slamming in with well-planned, funky solos that sound at times like Jimmie Vaughan and sometimes like Buddy Guy or Lowell Fulson. Not that Mr Crivellaro has no style of his own. On the contrary, the reason I like this CD is because it sounds so new and fresh. And that’s thanks to his intelligent approach to the blues guitar, and the way he uses his sidemen. He made a good choice when he recruited Finis Tasby whose vocals are excellent throughout. I remember him from his “Blues Mechanic” days but I didn’t realise what a great voice he has, particularly on the Percy Mayfield-type material. James Harman sings on two tracks and Bruce Katz, Alex Schultz, Rick Reed, Jeff Turmes, Steve Mugalian and Scot Steen make up the rest of the band. As you’d expect, James Harman’s appearance is a high spot - turning on the funky jive on “Help Me Flip Another Flop” and getting wryly humorous on “Drinkin’ Cheap Champagne”. Other high spots include the driving instrumental “The In Crowd” and the jazz-inflected “Train To Venice”.

It’s all good stuff – one of those debut CDs that makes you want to hear more.

Blues on Stage - USA

Enrico Crivellaro: Key To My Kingdom (Electro-Fi)

Guitarist Enrico Crivellaro isn't exactly a household name but give him a little time and this talented axeman should be well known among blues fans. You couldn't ask for a better debut than "Key To My Kingdom" a knockout record that surrounds Crivellaro with a great cast that really delivers the goods.

Label owner Andrew Galloway calls Crivellaro "the best young guitarist I have heard in the past year" that "doesn't hail from Chicago or Memphis." Crivellaro is an import from Italy which shouldn't be all that surprising as the the blues has spread from the states to become truly international. He's paid his dues in James Harman's band (always a good place to find top quality talent) and worked with the Royal Crown Revue winning the Swing Guitarist of the Year Award. "Key To My Kingdom" proves that Crivellaro is more than ready to step out on his own.

In a way "Key To My Kingdom" is similar to a record we reviewed last month by another outstanding young guitarist, Kirk Fletcher. Both are well schooled in in a multitude of styles, have a strong sense of tradition and display impeccable taste and tone. Crivellaro lays down some blistering, chunky guitar work but also displays a strong jazz influence. Crivellaro, like Fletcher, leaves the singing to others including a couple by James Harman with the rest sung by Finis Tasby who appeared on Fletcher's record. Also like Fletcher's outing this one showcases some stellar ensemble playing including fine piano and B-3 from Bruce Katz and sax man Jeff Turmes who also did the excellent horn arrangements. While most of the tunes are covers they are numbers that most folks probably haven't heard before. Among the originals are a fine pair from the pen of James Harman who's world weary drawl sounds as good as ever on the shuffling "Drinkin' Cheap Champagne (From A Dixie Cup)" with fat, stinging guitar from Crivellaro and "Help Me Flip Another Flop" with an insinuating semi-R&B groove. Finis Tasby is a flat out great blues singer who deserves more recognition and sounds great on his six tunes particularly a pair by brilliant lyricist Percy Mayfield on the low-down vamp of "You're In For A Big Surprise" featuring a heap of fiery guitar work and the shuffling "Stand By." Tasby is equally good on B.B. King's soulful "Key To My Kingdom" (one of the few B.B. tunes I haven't heard covered before) as Crivellaro uncorks some uncanny B.B. styled licks and the after hours feel of "Rain Is A Bringdown" an old Ruth Brown number. Crivellaro shows off a jazzy side on instrumentals like "Black Jack" and "Train To Venice" which owe a big debt to the soul-jazz sound of the 60's and Crivellaro obviously listened long and hard to those great Blue Note albums that came out during that period.

"Key To My Kingdom" is hands down one of the year's best debuts and heralds a major blues talent. Another winner for the Electro-Fi label which has been putting out some terrific records in the last few years.

(Jeff Harris)