Fulltimeblues.com
September 22, 2010

Earlier this year, Blues label Earwig Music released a slew of 2010 releases from many artists. It was a lot to take in at one time. Each of the CDs has done well, and been well received; but it’s easy for some of the releases to kind of get lost in the shuffle when there are five others jockeying for airplay, review consideration, and purchase. Les Copeland’s Don’t Let The Devil In has done well with radio. Following up their 2008 smash Stop And Think About It, Chris James and Patrick Rynn returned with Gonna Boogie Anyway, and have deservedly grabbed a lot of press regarding their latest effort. And, records by Andy Cohen, Tim Woods, and 2010 I.B.C. winner Grady Champion have all been considered successes, as well.

Amongst all of this, though, Rob Stone made his return to store shelves and radio stations with his first new record in seven years! The vocalist, harmonica guru, and co-founder of Rob Stone and the C-Notes with James and Rynn, hasn’t gotten the press I throught he would with this new release. I decided it would be appropriate if I did my small part to remedy that.

Rob Stone began his journey at the age of 18, when he caught a performance by the legendary Blues harp giant Charlie Musselwhite. The Boston native went out and picked up his first harp the very next day. The course was set, and Stone set off on a rapid ascension in the Blues universe. By 1993, he had joined the band of Sam Lay, one of the best behind a drum kit, and a man who’s played behind a list of music royalty, including Blues legends Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and others, as well as Bob Dylan. In 1998, Rob Stone and the C-Notes recorded their first album, No Worries. 2003′s Just My Luck would follow, their first album on Earwig.

Fast forward to 2010, and Back Around Here announces the triumphant return of Rob Stone, with an album featuring a dozen songs, eight of which are original compositions written by the trio of Stone, James, and Rynn. The sum of these 12 tracks totals just over 50-minutes in total running length, plenty of time to boogie till you drop from exhaustion. It all begins with “You’re No Good For Me,” which features Stone’s harp crawling all over the intro ahead of his smooth vocals. Willie Hayes is behind the kit, and David Maxwell guests on piano. Maxwell plays on all but three of the tunes throughout. Hayes is one of three great drummers on the album, the other two being legendary players Lay and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. Patrick Rynn’s bass provides the foundation for all of the tracks on Back Around Here, while Chris James plays guitar on all but two of the songs. He’s joined on guitar by Jeff Stone on “You’re No Good For Me.”

The title track, “Back Around Here,” is the first of three songs featuring a gorgeous depth of horns from Rodney Brown on tenor saxophone and John Bowes on baritone sax. Sonny Boy Williamson I’s “Love You For Myself” is the first of four covers on Back Around Here, and features some great, wailing harmonica from Stone. Aaron Moore sits down behind the piano for this number, landing a solo on the tune; and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith makes the first of his three appearances at the drums. If one were to simply stand back and read the credits for Back Around Here, you’d be impressed immediately; but once you spin the disc, you find that the music is as much of a knockout as the list of heavyweights behind it.

Stone’s take on Magic Sam’s “Give Me Time” is an absolute blast to listen to; a dancing tune to be sure, in my opinion. Lay is on the drums here, and Rob Stone’s vocal work is magnificent! David Maxwell does such playful work on the keys that you think he’s recording with a toy piano. Along those lines, “I Need To Plant A Money Tree” is another light hearted track where you can just hear the fun these guys were having together. Smith is back on the drums here, and Jeff Stone returns on guitar.

“Chicago All Night” is a wonderful love letter to the city. Stone plays travel agent, running down the list of places to check out after dark. Brown and Bowes come back to bop on horns for the track, and Willie Hayes returns to the drums. “Lot To Love About You” is a terrific Jump Blues featuring Stone going off on his harp solo. This one is an instant classic, for me. That’s followed by a take on the classic Leroy Carr song, “Sloppy Drunk Blues,” a song that’s been covered by a who’s-who in the world of the Blues. I love the arrangement here, with simply Rob Stone on vocals and harmonica (killing it, by the way!), Maxwell on piano, and Rynn on bass.

The 5 Royales’ (I Know) “It’s Hard But It’s Fair” is the final cover on Back Around Here. Michael Weisman makes his sole appearance on the album on guitar. The horn section returns for their final time, adding to the classic Rhythm & Blues flair, and Willie Hayes makes his last appearance on drums, making way for Sam Lay to feature on the album’s final three numbers. Those three songs begin with the instrumental behemoth “Dragon Killers,” where Lay just beats the tar out of the kit. Stone plays harmonica throughout, providing some fireworks on the harp. I can imagine this song would bring the house down in a live setting.

“Can’t Turn Back the Clock” is another great original number from Stone and company, featuring some blinding work by Maxwell on piano. By this point in the album, you’re a little bummed there’s only one track left. That’s why they make the repeat button, my friends. Back Around Here closes with “No Strings Attached,” providing the band with an excellent bow on a fantastic album.

Standout Tracks: All of them, but especially “Lot To Love About You,” “Give Me Time,” “Chicago All Night,” and “Can’t Turn Back the Clock.”

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