THE LUCKY LOSERS - Arrival
w/ Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz
Featuring Special Guests - Danny Caron and Kid Andersen
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The Lucky Losers-w/Cathy lemons and Phil Berkowitz
Arrival - A Greaseland Production
MoMojo Records- www.momojorecords.com
Produced,Recorded,Mixed and Mastered-Kid Andersen
Vocal Arrangements- Kid Andersen
Horn Arrangements-Mike Rinta
Special Thanks to Cathy-Phil- and The Lucky Losers-for being such wonderful musical parts of so many unforgettable-and great fun- shows that were part of the award-winning "Can't Stop the Blues" live broadcasts and live viewer chats -
programs that became so important during the pandemic. "Can't Stop the Blues" kept the world in great company, brought down barriers and borders, and raised badly needed funds through a live chat nightly, as bands and vocalists shared their talents, two shows a night,7 nights a week. It was great fun every night, with a wacky and wonderful team of hosts, everyone coming together in a shared community. The pandemic was left outside the door for a while, as the stage was opened, the bar readied, and the jokes never stopped. Music from all around the globe, shared with friends the world over. Check out "CSTB" which has been archived on Facebook and YouTube for everyone to share and enjoy over and over and over again.
The Lucky Losers- San Francisco's premier six-piece blues-soul band fronted by fiery Dallas-raised vocalist Cathy Lemons and New Jersey's dazzling harp player and vocalist Phil Berkowitz. This remarkable band has been releasing acclaimed music for a decade now, extending their loyal following world-wide, with the legendary Kid Andersen acting as their producer and engineer. Pushing the boundaries of songcraft and artistry, capturing the spirit of 60's and 70's R n' B and soul, laced with the independence and honesty of the blues, The Lucky Losers share their irresistible energy with all of us. Their solid rhythms and grooves will have your feet tapping, your fingers snapping, and you singing along, with lyrics that tug at your soul.
"Arrival", the latest from "The Lucky Losers", is the sixth release from this fascinating and eclectic band. Mixing deep country blues,gospel,uptown blues, funk,1960's soul, Rhythm and Blues, and 70's rock, this musical cocktail has a powerful, distinct flavor, a dynamic mix of musical ingredients that make it all memorable and unforgettable. Deeply personal, honest and authentic, the shared experiences of The Lucky Losers deliver a powerful soundtrack that doesn't shy away from social commentary, life experiences, joy and desperation, singing the truth of what has been seen, stories that are certainly filled with all the ups and downs that we deal with on a daily basis. They take us all on a roller coaster ride, filled with all the twists,turns,and uncertainties that one might encounter every day.
"Arrival is our breakthrough album, and the most personal music I've ever written," says Cathy Lemons. "Out of the 11 tracks, I contributed five songs that pushed me to take real risks. For example, "I Believe Her (Because I Am Her)" confronts childhood sexual abuse. The line, "I believe her, because I am her - who don't believe me, my own mother," comes directly from my life."Pig Iron Tough" reflects on the "made-of-steel" resilience it takes to survive touring. That song is rooted in my childhood when I moved 15 times before the age of 17,"got no friends, always new in town, until you move again."
Phil Berkowitz - "Looking back, I wasn't supposed to be a musician. I grew up in a not so typically dysfunctional 60s/70s suburban household in New Jersey. My mother died when I was ten years old. I was sent off to camp for nine consecutive summers, diagnosed with ADD HD, long before the term became a household word, and sent to the therapists. I guess the song "Misfit Kids" comes straight from my life. " "Sunday Stroller" is probably my best work because people instantly respond to it. I am a rule breaker. But I really struggle to bring things together - "He never abides by the rules that decide what will fly, will never get off the ground...the world outside keeps spinning around and around and around." When I wrote these songs with Danny Caron and Chris Burns, these stories came so naturally. These songs are personal reflections and characters I created. Arrival has brought my songwriting full circle."
What was it like working with the Mad Hatter, the highly sought after mad scientist of Greaseland Studio, the wildly unpredictable, good natured, and enormously gifted and talented Kid Andersen - " Working with Kid Andersen is always transformative - he has a genius for shaping harmonies and bringing out the best in our voices. Phil Berkowitz soars on harmonica with his big, fat tone. We are not confined to someone else's idea of what Blues and Soul is. Phil and I are pretty fearless on this album."
I took "Arrival" with me on a recent trip to the Jersey Shore. I was swept away by the wonderful variety of music that poured out of my car's CD player as I took the risks traveling the Garden State Parkway. The perfect soundtrack to our road trip, fascinating, irresistible, highly entertaining, an earful of awesome from start to finish. If this was decades ago these songs, many of them, would have been blaring from radios and quickly climbing the charts. The lasting impression left by these songs will echo in your heart and grab tightly onto your soul. Check out the humorous funk of the opener "S-C-A-M",get ready to rock with "Sunday Stroller" , the traditional blues of "I Believe Her(Because I Am her)" shaded with a commentary on the sexual abuse of young women , the 70's style rhythm and blues of the stunning "Play It From the Heart" , the powerful Memphis soul and gospel of "Pull on the Rope" - inspired by Mavis Staples, a call for unity and compassion in these disturbingly troubled times- , Phil Berkowitz gets the spotlight-featuring his brilliant, horn-like harmonica- on the beautifully crafted "Sorry Brother" , and the soulfully powerful ballad, that could have taken directly from the Stax vaults , a bit of Janis Joplin ,with horns arranged by Grammy winner Mike Rinta,"Don't Let It Slip Away".
Special mention, for me, must go to several songs that I have enjoyed playing over and over again-
*"My Fathers Song" , a - beautifully sung-by Phil- slice of 70's soul that is irresistible, a musical sirens song that is rhythmically enchanting, you are captured by the song's energy and emotional intensity
* "Pig Iron Tough" - the groove-driven 88's , the wonderful backing vocals, Cathy's captivating and seducing vocals, and through it all is Phil's haunting and electrifying harp work, the band driving the funk home with those hard-to-resist,irresistible grooves that set your feet tapping, and your butt thumping.
* "Ain't The Marrying Kind" is the kind of bluesy duet that brings you back to that front porch, those late-night roadhouse rendezvous, and those backyard barbecues,a great tune that is lyrically witty and musically contagious. If you ain't moving or finger snapping check your pulse. I had this track cranked way, way up and for good reason. The call and response between Phil and Cathy is classic and unforgettable. Wait for the ending because there is a surprise waiting for you...
For me, every song is a winner here, pushing the boundaries of songcraft and artistry. The Lucky Losers ask everyone to think about their lives, the lives of those around them, and try to connect with one another on a more personal level. Their sound is special and unique, fired up with enormous amounts of passion, limitless soul, and unstoppable emotion. The Lucky Losers share their passion for music with each and every one of us, gifting us with a rich tapestry of sounds, unafraid to tackle social issues, sharing their joy, their frustrations, with plenty of fun along the way. Covering a lot of ground in just 47 minutes "The Lucky Losers" "Arrival" is a cause for celebration. You have to appreciate a band whose artistry is uniquely their own.
And we thunderously applaud....
Cathy Lemons-Vocals / Phil Berkowitz-Vocals,Harmonica / Chris Burns-Keys / Simon Govan Smith - Guitar / Edgar San Gabriel - Bass / Jon Otis - Drums .Percussion
Special Guests -
Danny Caron- Guitar / Kid Andersen - Guitar ,Bass, keys / Endre Tarczy-Bass / Paul Revelli - Drums / Doug James - Tenor Sax / Mike Rinta-Trombone / John Halbieb- Trumpet
Review Written With Admiration and Appreciation -
John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations - raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1
