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Review Written By - John Muller - Taken From - Blue Notes and Conversations - 2023 / 2024

Review dedicated to Great Friends - Can't Stop the Blues Team - Rick Estrin and Kid Andersen

 

  "The Hits Keep Coming " - Rick Estrin and the Nightcats-Alligator Records 2024 - All songs by Rick Estrin - Produced, Recorded , and Mixed at Greaseland , USA by - Kid Andersen

 

Charlie Musselwhite , Marty Dobson , Bob Welsh , Boops Callinz - Voices / Quique Gomez - Maracas and Animal Noises / Lisa Leuschner Andersen - Background Vocals

 

       "People don't go out to see people who look like themselves," says Rick. "They want to see something special . I was schooled in this business  to be a showman, and that is what you get when you come to see us perform." - Rick Estrin

 

           They're back ! One of the most wildly entertaining , no-holds-barred , unpredictable , and hell-raising outfits on the music scene today have just released their latest effort on Alligator Records - "The Hits Keep Coming" - As Rick Estrin himself puts it,"the best music we've ever made together. This band is killer. I'm enjoying this all more than ever . It's a blessing - there's so much energy , so much collaboration. The band is just so good right now . And the live show is off the charts."  This is one outrageously original band , an off-kilter group of musical miscreants whose sole purpose is to create note-worthy mayhem wherever they go - Vocalist , harmonica master and songwriter; the impeccably dressed , hipster above all others with that trademark pencil-line mustache and pompadour haircut ; wily and unforgettable with those street-smart vocals - Rick Estrin - and - Christoffer " Kid " Andersen - that wily coyote of the blues  ; multi-instrumentalist , musical mastermind , producer , whose Greaseland Studios in San Jose , California has become a mecca for  musicians , bands and vocalists world-wide . "Kid " Andersen -   A wise-cracking life of the party whose good-natured and colorful attitude is matched only by Kids incredibly admirable dedication to his craft ; think of "Kid" Andersen as Loki , Carl Denham , and PT Barnham all rolled into one with the musical chops of an octopus on acid - Derrick "D'Mar" Martin-Drummer -  Little Richard's drummer for 17 years - His irrepressible energy has lifted the band to another level. D'Mar has gained notoriety worldwide for his mid-air acrobatics, "jumping the kit ", while performing on his drum kit , suddenly leaping into the air , defying gravity itself . I have personally seen D'Mar fly on several occasions , this buoyant and dynamic whirling dervish a show unto himself , thrusting himself skyward , without warning , a cyclone unleashed at any given moment , his backbeats propelling the music forward with relentless energy  - Lorenzo Farrell - Keyboardist , organ wizard , and bass man -  With the finesse of Rick Wakeman, Ray Charles , Ramsey Lewis , Pinetop Perkins , Billy Preston on the keys , Lorenzo keeps the enthusiasm flowing high and mighty as his fingers tear into those 88's . He knows which notes to play , where those notes belong , communicating with his bandmates to produce a sound like no other . As a bass player Lorenzo is the  solid bridge between Kid , Rick , and D'Mar .  He certainly makes the music sound and feel good. Jerry Jammott - Special Guest - Often called "Fingers" or "the Groovemaster" Jerry Jemmott was one of the chief  session bass guitarists of the late 1960's and early 1970's, working with many of the period's well-known soul,blues and jazz artists. Discovered by King Curtis in 1967 . Jerry played on hits like "Instant Groove" by King Curtis; "Think" and "You Send Me " by Aretha Franklin ; "The Thrill Is Gone" by B. B. King and many others . 

              More known for "funny stuff,quirky shit, and wiseass type stuff" Rick Estrin's brilliant songwriting has a serious side as well , prominently displayed on the first track released off the new album , "The Circus Is Still In Town" - "This ones special to me.It's got a catchy hook , an infectious groove, and ironically, some grim subject matter." There are twelve groove-heavy , hard hitting songs featured on "The Hits keep On Coming"(Alligator) alongside two surprising covers - "Diamonds At Your Feet" from McKinley Morganfield; and "Everybody Knows" from Leonard Cohen and Collaborator Sharon Robinson. "Sack O' Kools" is the only instrumental on the album , each of the Nightcats is given ample room to spread out and solo a bit . Four tracks feature the vocals of the Soul Revivers - Walter , Dwayne, and James Morgan . Rick enjoys the treasure hunt , finding good , obscure songs to cover , songs that nobody else is doing.  As for the rest of the unpredictable , wildly exciting , no-holds barred  sessions," I started writing the title track during the lockdown . I had a creative burst...and knew it was time to go into the studio...". As the pandemic began to wind down , and studio time became available once again , Rick's reaction , " Oh,shit! I'd better come up with some songs!"

           The first album from Rick Estrin and 'The NightCats ' in almost five years , is , according to Rick Estrin , " the best music we've ever made together". Capturing the bands unequaled chemistry and long-standing friendships; their foot-stompin' , hip-shakin' , butt thumpin' hard-hitting  mix of blues , rock n' roll, and swing ; these sessions are fun , truly original , and  explosively energetic . Frothy fun tracks - "Somewhere Else","Call 911" , "I Ain't Worried About Nothin'" , "Whatever Happened To Dobie Strange?" - all showcase Rick's rollicking sense of humor . On the flip side are more serious-minded tracks that message us , like "Learn To Lose ". Every song packs a powerful punch , sometimes with a sly wink  , most often with that mischievous sense of humor that only this outfit can deliver .  Welcome to the crazed consciousness of the Nightcats where Alice's tea party is always in full swing . 

              ".....If it feels natural,we'll do it , and I'm gonna keep going until I can't do it anymore or nobody shows up." - Rick Estrin .  

             As Rick Estrin speaks for himself , echoing the thoughts of his bandmates around him , "When you're just being yourself , it's hard to fuck it up." 

          "The Hits Keep Coming" showcases one of the best bands out there , a crowd-pleasing group of musical miscreants , primed and ready to drive you from your seat , urging you to have the time of your life .Wildly fun and musically fearless , totally unpredictable , Rick Estrin and The Nightcats are pure musical magic from start to finish! "The Hits keep Coming" certainly got my mojo workin' overtime for sure! This band is fired up,raising hell, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!

                Special Thanks - J. Poet - "Rick Estrin" - 3/15/2023 - eastbayexpress.com

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