4 Stars
The top blues musicians of the Boston area back up this collection of Anthony Geraci compositions. Anthony is an all-star himself on keys. Great vocals by 4 great singers .. Sugar Ray Norcia, Darrell Nulisch, Toni Lynn Washington, Michelle “Evil Gal” Wilson. Mix wise .. there’s a more reverb than we personally like, and for some reason the drums and bass get buried a bit more than we like on several cuts. Instruments and vocals are up and strong but we would have liked more from the rhythm section.
Favorite tune .. the title cut .. Fifty Shades of Blue. A fun blues take on the Fifty Shades of Grey deal. All very good songs here in a variety of blues styles .. and great playing throughout. If we liked the mix better we would have given it 4½ .. but it is still a solid 4 Stars in a great Delta Groove package.
1. Everything I Do Is Wrong (3:25)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
2. Fifty Shades of Blue (3:28)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
3. Sad But True (3:56)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
4. Heard That Tutwiler Whistle Blow (5:21)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
5. If You Want to Get to Heaven (4:20)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
6. Don’t Keep Me Waiting (4:14)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
7. The Blues Never Sleeps (3:17)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
8. Too Late for Coffee (2:56)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
9. Diamonds and Pearls (4:14)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
10. Cry a Million Tears (6:00)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
11. In the Quicksand, Again (3:14)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
12. Your Turn to Cry (3:57)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
13. Blues for David Maxwell (6:06)
(A. Geraci) Delta Groove Productions, Inc., JA TO ME (ASCAP)
Anthony Geraci: piano & Hammond organ
Monster Mike Welch: guitar
Michael “Mudcat” Ward: acoustic/electric bass
Marty Richards: drums (all tracks except 2 & 4)
Sugar Ray Norcia: vocals (2, 3, 4, 6, 8 & 12), harmonica (3, 4 & 12), Native American flute (13)
Darrell Nulisch: vocals (1, 7 & 10), harmonica (7)
Toni Lynn Washington: vocals (9)
Michelle “Evil Gal” Wilson: vocals (2 & 5)
Neil Gouvin: drums (2 & 4)
Produced by Anthony Geraci
Engineered by Keith Asack
Mixed by Monster Mike Welch, Anthony Geraci & Keith Asack
Executive Producer: Jeff Scott Fleenor
Produced by Anthony Geraci
Recorded at Keep the Edge Studio, Quincy, MA
Engineered by Keith Asack
Mixed by Monster Mike Welch, Anthony Geraci & Keith Asack
Sequenced by Jeff Scott Fleenor
Mastered by Keith Asack
Artwork & Design by Joshua Temkin (www.JoshuaTemkin.com)
Cover photo by Joseph A. Rosen
Back cover photo by Yann Cabello
Inside photo by Nicolas Sturma
Liner notes by Anthony Geraci
Retail by Jeff Scott Fleenor
Radio by Steve Dixon
Delta Groove Music Affairs by Malcolm Wisem