Sugar Ray & The Bluetones - Knockout 1989

Sugar Ray & The Bluetones - Knockout 1989

Blues

This band, featuring Sugar Ray Norcia's powerful baritone vocals and harmonica, was a New England blues institution and a breeding ground for fine guitarists -- Ronnie Earl, who worked with Sugar Ray in the late '70s, and "Kid" Bangham, who left Sugar Ray to join the Fabulous Thunderbirds just after this album was recorded.
**
Harmonica player, lyricist, and singer Sugar Ray Norcia has been leading his band, the Blue Tones, around New England since the late 1970s. The band began to break nationally in the late '80s and early '90s with the release of their debut for the Rounder/Varrick label, Knockout. While leading his own band and touring on a regional basis around the New England states, Norcia spent many years in apprenticeship as a sideman. This fact is evident on his recordings, as Norcia's singing is deep and heartfelt, and his harmonica playing is that of a seasoned blues club veteran.
**
A surprisingly tasteful and solidly swinging album, Sugar Ray is a powerhouse vocalist and a more-than-respectable harp player. There are some good songs, too, especially the slow blues "I'm Tortured." By Niles J. Frantz, All Music Guide.
**
Kid Bangham- (Guitar),
Anthony Geraci- (Organ, Piano),
Neil Gouvin- (Drums),
Greg Mazel- (Baritone, Tenor Sax),
Sugar Ray Norcia- (Harmonica, Accordion, Vocals,(Squeezebox),
Mudcat Ward- (Bass),
Tom "La Bumba" Mahfood- (Baritone Sax),
Michael Ward- (Bass).
**
01. Sally Sue Brown 3:04
02. I'm Your Professor 3:16
03. Talk to Me 3:03
04. Lucy Mae Blues 2:55
05. Mouth on Fire 2:43
06. I'm Tortured 4:05
07. Hope Valley 2:59
08. Radiates That Charm 2:56
09. I'm Not Ashamed 2:49
10. He's Gone Away 4:09
11. Bite the Dust 4:19
12. I Could Have (Loved You) 3:14
13. What Can It Be? 2:58
14. Country Boy 3:13
**

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Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005

Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005
Label: Severn
Recorded at; Lakewest Recording Studio,
Rhode Island 2004

Blues

Few traditional bluesmen have the swinging elegance and vocal grace of ex-Roomful of Blues frontman Sugar Ray Norcia. And this is his finest solo album, full of warm performances and well-written original tunes. Even when Sugar Ray's grinding out a Chicago shuffle like "I Done Got Wise," both his warm singing and his harp solos create luxurious melodies full of richly sustained notes that carefully underscore the deep emotions that put life in his lyrics. The title cut and "The Last Blues Song" are among his best numbers. The former explores the pain of possible infidelity and the latter is a secular prayer for a better world, set to a spare piano arrangement that gives Sugar Ray room to weave colorful filigrees and wide dynamics into his vocal phrases. He's also got a skillful journeyman Bluetones lineup here, with fellow Roomful alums Doug James and Carl Querfurth on sax and trombone; veteran Handy-nominated Michael "Mudcat" Ward on bass; Neal Gouvin on drums; and on guitar, Paul Size, who comfortably fills the seat formerly held by Ronnie Earl and Mike Welch. They play together with transparent mastery, giving the boss plenty of license to exercise his considerable talents.
By Ted Drozdowski.
**
Sugar Ray Norcia; Vocals, Harmonica),
Paul Size; Guitar,
Anthony Geraci; Piano,
Michael "Mudcat" Ward; Bass instrument,
Neil Gouvin; Drums;
Doug James; Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone,
Carl Querfurth; Trombone.
**
Tracks:
1. Hands Across the Table
2. I Done Got Wise
3. Dark Roads Calling
4. Livin' a Lie
5. Cloud Cover
6. Say You Love Me (Before I Hang up)
7. That's My Desire
8. (I'm Gonna Break Into) Folsom Prison
9. I Wanna Marry You Girl
10. I Won't Leave You Home No More
11. River Stay 'Way From My Door
12. The Last Blues Song
13. End Time
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Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005

Sugar Ray NORCIA & The Bluetones - Hands Across The Table 2005
Label: Severn Records
Recorded at; Lakewest Recording Studio,
Rhode Island 2004

Blues

Few traditional bluesmen have the swinging elegance and vocal grace of ex-Roomful of Blues frontman Sugar Ray Norcia. And this is his finest solo album, full of warm performances and well-written original tunes. Even when Sugar Ray's grinding out a Chicago shuffle like "I Done Got Wise," both his warm singing and his harp solos create luxurious melodies full of richly sustained notes that carefully underscore the deep emotions that put life in his lyrics. The title cut and "The Last Blues Song" are among his best numbers. The former explores the pain of possible infidelity and the latter is a secular prayer for a better world, set to a spare piano arrangement that gives Sugar Ray room to weave colorful filigrees and wide dynamics into his vocal phrases. He's also got a skillful journeyman Bluetones lineup here, with fellow Roomful alums Doug James and Carl Querfurth on sax and trombone; veteran Handy-nominated Michael "Mudcat" Ward on bass; Neal Gouvin on drums; and on guitar, Paul Size, who comfortably fills the seat formerly held by Ronnie Earl and Mike Welch. They play together with transparent mastery, giving the boss plenty of license to exercise his considerable talents.
By Ted Drozdowski.
**
Sugar Ray Norcia; Vocals, Harmonica),
Paul Size; Guitar,
Anthony Geraci; Piano,
Michael "Mudcat" Ward; Bass instrument,
Neil Gouvin; Drums;
Doug James; Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone,
Carl Querfurth; Trombone.
**
Tracks:
1. Hands Across the Table
2. I Done Got Wise
3. Dark Roads Calling
4. Livin' a Lie
5. Cloud Cover
6. Say You Love Me (Before I Hang up)
7. That's My Desire
8. (I'm Gonna Break Into) Folsom Prison
9. I Wanna Marry You Girl
10. I Won't Leave You Home No More
11. River Stay 'Way From My Door
12. The Last Blues Song
13. End Time
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