Blues Daddy, The2001Rootetoot Records

Blues Daddy, The - 2001 - Rootetoot Records

Written by Warren Dallin

Who's your blues daddy? Well it just might be Terry B. (Terry Blankley) from Oshawa, Ontario. This captivating disc recorded on his own label, Rootetoot Records, oozes a British blues sound much like that of the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation from the late sixties. For those not familiar with that group, Dunbar did blues-jazz solo work after stints as the drummer for John Mayall and on Jeff Beck's "Truth" album.

Terry B. is the keyboardist and vocalist on all tracks. All songs, except two cover songs, are well written originals covering a broad range of subjects and styles. Most are blues based, but there is a healthy dose of different jazz influences. He also has a forced deepness to his voice that actually fits the music styles and lowdown subject matter.

The disc starts off with a slow piano and electric guitar driven song titled Nothin' But the Blues, that let's you know the blues is his only need in life. It moves into a track with distorted singing called Will Love Come Callin', which has a brilliantly crafted sound that features a shaker which gives it a real "down on the street" gritty feel. This is the song that really reminds me of the Aynsley Dunbar connection.

A beatnik sound pervades Jarvis St. which is a fast moving swampy jazz ditty that describes a vixens' lifestyle on the infamous Toronto street. The Ports of Call, is a slow piano driven swing done almost in a fifties do-wop kinda style.

Now there are several songs titled and written about a Hurricane, but his is the best one I have heard. It starts off with a nice bass line riff and some crisp piano banging, and is followed up by an electric guitar which rips off some damn moving notes. Mississippi Love Machine, is a barrel house piano boogie with some raw growled out slow vocals and forced pronouncing of each word. I was out of breath just listening to it.

Things speed up with the rocking Wind Me Up Turn Me On, which cranks the listener up into high gear. Lenny, is a slow "cool cat" jazz groove with effective use of the saxophone and sultry female backing vocals.

The album ends with the cover of Trouble in Mind, which showcases the talent of Terry B. on solo piano and vocals.

The presentation of the cover sleeve comes off as amateurish and there are some pretty major typos, but really it's about the music anyways, and that entertains.

Copyright 2002. Review by Warren Dallin.

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