Recently, this Bunny has been asked to review a naff Beatles wannabe and an idiot pretending to make electronic music. It's enough to give me the blues. Just in time, the Minivan Blues Band CD arrives…
"That Driving Beat" opens the show with a bang. Somewhere between "Cross-town Traffic" and "Jumping Jack Flash", the track delivers a fine introduction to the band. Later, "Tiptoe" tips its hat (or raises a glass) to Jimmy Rogers' "Gambling Bar Room Blues" and, with its off-centre laid back rhythm, there's a touch of Brecht's "Alabama Song" too showing that these guys are more than just a blues band. The 'Van's (yes, through the CD, I feel I know them that well) cover of Lorette Velvette's "God Forsaken Town" is more straight-ahead light rock, reminiscent of Sweet Jane than the blues elsewhere and shows another side to the band.
I've never thought of the mandolin as being a funk instrument, but that's what happens on "The Boss". In amongst the twin leads and a drum and bass combo that demands to be danced to is a mandolin line which holds it's own. This brings me to the actual playing on the CD. It's great - there's not much else I can tell you; a solid rhythm section is the basis to the lively, well thought out and flawless guitar work and it's all topped off by strong, gritty, vocals. The recording and mix is immaculate - I've heard CDs recorded in a studio that don't sound as good as this one recorded live as it was in a club.
Undeniably live (there are a couple of mistakes - try and find them, I dare you!), this is the sound of a band which works hard to play hard. It's a shame that this is only a CD and not the full gig experience as I can't imagine being disappointed in the flesh. Not too slick and polished but sophisticated enough to play in polite company, if you like your blues do yourself a favour and check these guys out.
Available from CD Baby.