Special Thanks to Blues Bytes and Kyle Deibler for the super review of Drivin Me Wild by Jonn Del Toro Richardson and Sean Carney! ------------------- I was happy to run into Sean Carney on the steps of the Orpheum Theater in Memphis at this year’s IBC. I was even happier when Sean handed me a copy of the new disc that he and Jonn Del Toro Richardson had recorded, Drivin’ Me Wild. Any disc that features three Albert King Award winners for best guitarist has to be good in my book and I’m happy to report that it definitely is. I also have to say for the record that since I’ve either been in the audience or working backstage for Jonn’s, Sean’s and J.P.’s IBC victories that I’m starting to feel my age. But, a good record is a good record, and Drivin’ Me Wild is definitely that. The disc starts out with Jonn and vocals and wondering if the woman he’s got his eye on feels anything for him at all in “Tell Me Do You Love Me.” Jonn’s got a distinctive voice and he’s definitely hoping this girl feels the same way for him. “Tell me pretty baby…am I right or am I wrong…tell me baby…my suspicion is growing strong.” I’m not even going to try to figure out which lick is from which guitar player so for the record just let me say this --- all three of these guys can play the hell out of the guitar and all I can do as a listener on this disc is just sit back and enjoy it. I’m starting to get the feeling that maybe Jonn’s out of luck with this woman so let’s move on to Sean at the microphone for the title track, “Drivin’ Me Wild.” This tune has more of a swing feel to it so Sean’s fretwork is fairly clear to me on this one. Sean’s in love as well and the object of his affections is definitely driving him wild.“I get so excited…when I hear you call my name…you know you shake me up…just like a hurricane.” Sean’s got it bad and hopefully this one will stay awhile. Unrequited love seems to be the topic of the day as Jonn’s back on the vocals and he’s still “Lookin’ for My Baby.” “Looking for my woman…going to find that girl somehow…looking for my baby…got to go town to town.” She’s out there somewhere and if I know Jonn…he’ll find her faster than we think! A very soulful guitar intro from Sean finds him back on the vocals for “Cloud Nine.” “I’m open for your business…stop in any time…just ring my bell for service…and I’ll take you to cloud nine.” Sean’s in love and he’s open for business 24/7 for this one. House calls, special appointments…Sean’s more than happy to oblige. Omar Coleman takes the lead on our next tune, “A Man like Me,” and though I’ve not seen Omar perform personally, he’s more than up to the task. “You don’t need a man like that…all you need is a man like me…a man who will know….the meaning of…monogamy.” Omar’s making his case for the woman he’s after and he’s promising to be true with his love for her. She really can’t ask for much more than that! Jonn assumes the role of confidant and healer as the band moves on to “Sit Back Baby.” “Sit baby…kick off your shoes…sit back child…tell me what’s wrong with you…as I told you once…life’s too short to lose!” Jonn’s got the answers to all of her problems and part of it involves good loving from this Texas bluesman. The only cover on the disc is a classic Tom Waits tune, “Chocolate Jesus,” and Sean takes the lead on this one. “Chocolate Jesus” is a very dark tune and San VanFossen’s work on the upright bass in perfectly complimented by Louis Tsamous’s drumming to give Sean the canvas he needs to tell us the story of the “Chocolate Jesus.” The band’s tempo picks up and Omar’s back on the mic for a tune he wrote, “Slow Down.” “Slow down baby…you’re too fast for me…slow down girl….I love your harmony.” Omar wants to make this woman his bride and if she doesn’t start to slow down soon, he might not catch her! Omar stays at the mic for a tune he wrote with Jonn, “Hold Me.” A classic, slow love song, Omar is definitely turning on the charm as he works to keep his woman close. “Love me baby…please, don’t you leave me alone…hold me real tight…like you hold…your telephone.” The sad fact in this day and age is that she’s more likely to hang onto her phone than Omar. Good luck with that one, my friend! A little raw distorted guitar gives Sean leeway to head into the next tune, “Come on With It.” “Come on with it people…give me everything you can…when I lay my six string on you…your blues will leave on my command.” Feeling bad? Life sucks? Trust in the Reverend Sean to give you absolution and play yours blues away! The back end is again in full force as Jonn tells us to “Shake That Thang”. “Take your time my friend…don’t you worry bout a thing…bring your troubles with you…we’ll help you shake them away.” Our sense of healing continues as Jonn’s a firm believer in dancing away your troubles. We finally get to hear a bit of Omar on the harmonica with Jonn on the vocals as the band tackles another song written by Jonn, “Peace of Mind.” “Going home…I get no comfort…no comfort or peace of mind…got to get myself back to the country…going to find me…a new state of mind. My experience has been that the country is a good place to take stock of life and get the insights you need to move forward in your life. I like this tune a lot and it’s probably my favorite one on the disc. We close Drivin’ Me Wild out with an instrumental tune, “One for J.B.” featuring Sean, Jonn, Louis and Sam. Smooth and sultry in its attack this feels like a late night appetizer to tide us over until tomorrow. The quartet is tight and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to close out the evening or this record. I’ve enjoyed this disc a lot. Instrumentally its top notch and Jonn, Sean and Omar all give great vocal performances. It appears that the best place to grab a copy of this disc is on Sean’s website, seancarneyblues. Jonn and Sean rarely get to play together but if the opportunity arises for you to see them do so, get out and go. It’s a rare treat, indeed! --- Kyle Deibler
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:19:24 +0000
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