Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies- Big Rockin Boogie

Underworld Records

www.bigrockindaddies.com

13 tracks; 52:38 minutes; Suggested

Styles: Electric Blues, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll

Skyy Dobro singing: “Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends...”
Fellow Blues fans often help me by turning me on to a new artist and CD. Through a “Friend of the Blues,” Kurt Foor, I was introduced to a very entertaining CD by a Northwest USA band that’s new to me, Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies. “Big Rockin’ Boogie” appears on Tim “Too Slim” Langford’s label, Underworld Records and contains eight originals and five covers.

Kurt convinced me when he reported, “I enjoy just about the whole album. I enjoy Becki Sue's vocals and Tom Boyle's guitar work the most on the album. Sometimes women's vocals can be annoying to me, for example [Skyy deleted the name], she’s a fantastic guitar player and writer but please -- find a singer!”

Indeed, Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies is a ton-of-fun band. They call themselves a “high-energy, low-down, powerhouse, hip-shakin' Blues band.” They can be Blue or swing like Rockabilly and Rock and Roll cats – plus one chick. Becki Sue’s big voice, to which Kurt referred, provides great vocals with a sassy attitude and a style reminiscent of the great Texas Blues belters, Angela Strehli and Lou Ann Barton. She and the band even do a Strehli cover, “Can’t Stop These Teardrops,” as a slower Blues with a nice mid-song sax solo by Jim King.

Powered by the versatile Jim King on sax, incredible Blues harp, and vocals and the thoughtful and creative guitar work of Tom "T-Boy Neal" Boyle, this band takes off like a rocket with the very first song, “Rocket in My Pocket.” Up front with King is Becki Sue blasting along with the saxophone. Her fuse is lit! The band is backed by the award-winning, "nailed-to-the-floor" rhythm section of Les "Wildchild" White on upright bass and Jeff "Mr. Foundation" Hayes on drums. All members add harmony and backing vocals.

Kurt Foor, aka The Coal City Clubman, added, “Most of the songs have a good hook and are catchy, like “Mr. Lies,” “Big Rockin' Boogie,” an instrumental “Meat on Toast,” and “Neighbor Tend To Your Business.” Tom Boyle's guitar is especially good in his original “I'd Walk A Mile” which I crank up the stereo on.” One may hear some borrowed licks, but hey, that’s the history of Blues.

Shuffle Shoes and I first played on our Friends of the Blues Radio Show the title track, but Becki Sue doesn’t sing lead on that dance floor stomper. We’ve since played some of the songs Kurt listed as his favorites which have become mine, too. “Mr. Lies,” the second track, is simply killer with wailing harmonica and life’s lessons lyrics. “...you told me I’d be yours ‘til the end, then you made a pass at my best friend...might as well call you ‘Mr. Lies,’” sings Becki Sue as the narrator – too soon sad; too late wise. Another mutual favorite is Magic Sam’s “What Have I Done Wrong” given the full band and full sound approach.

Huey P. Meaux’s song “Neighbor Tend to Your Business” was previously recorded by the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and they’ve just been outdone by BS&HBRD. The shimmering guitar sets up Becki Sue’s indignant vocals while Jim King lays down another one of his fabulous harp runs.

Friends, keep helping me out! Recommendations like this entertaining and fun CD by Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies are always a bonus. Now if I can just get a Friend to write my review for me...actually I think Kurt just did!