Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind – Behind the Veil
12 Tracks, 67 minutes
Jason Ricci, the virtuoso harmonica player often hailed as the finest on the planet, unleashes a sonic masterpiece with "Behind the Veil." This 12-track album, marking his debut on Gulf Coast Records under the stewardship of Mike Zito, is a tour de force featuring original compositions and covers that showcase Ricci's unparalleled skill and musical diversity.
Ricci's band, The Bad Kind, consists of an ensemble of extraordinary talent: Kaitlin Dibble (vocals), Brent Johnson (guitar and backup vocals), Jack Joshua (double bass, electric bass vocals, and backup vocals), and John Perkins (drums and backup vocals). Special guests, including Joe Krown on piano and Hammond B3 organ, Lauren Mitchell's backup vocals, and Joanna Connor's guitar contributions, add layers of richness to the album's tapestry.
The album kicks off with the enchanting "Casco Bay," a fusion of classical and Gypsy Jazz influences that sets the stage for the eclectic journey that follows. Dibble takes the lead vocals on the Rudy Toombs classic, "5-10-15," delivering a performance that's both soulful and captivating, embellished by Ricci's mesmerizing harmonica solo.
Instrumentals like "Baked Potato" and a rendition of Booker T & the MGs' "Hip Hug Her" highlight Ricci's harmonica prowess, showcasing sounds that seem almost impossible to produce on the instrument. Brent Johnson's guitar tones on "Baked Potato" add a layer of brilliance to this track.
The album takes a humorous turn with Jack Joshua's original, offering an amusing accusation of a lover and transitioning smoothly into the jazzy ambiance of "Wrong Kind of Easy." Dibble's scat singing on the latter, accompanied by Ricci's vocals, creates a captivating musical interplay.
Ricci's gravelly, soulful voice takes center stage on the haunting rendition of "St. James Infirmary," infusing it with a Tom Waits-esque vibe. The surprising Bach-inspired harmonica solo and a snippet of Beethoven's "Fur Elise" add an unexpected twist to this classic.
The duet "Why Don't we Sleep on It?" between Ricci and Dibble unfolds as a lighthearted exchange, with witty and honest lyrics reflecting Ricci's journey through struggles and redemption. The Bobby Rush cover, "Ain't She Fine," Dibble's rock-leaning original "No Way," and Joshua's composition "Shipwreck" further contribute to the album's eclectic charm.
The soul-stirring rendition of Dax Riggs' "Terrors of Nightlife" showcases Ricci's emotive depth, surpassing even the original. The physical CD edition offers not just aural delight but also captivating artwork and heartfelt liner notes expressing Ricci's gratitude for a second chance at a good life.
"Behind the Veil" is a blues revelation, causing a stir in the blues community for all the right reasons. Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind deliver an album that stands among the top ten releases of the year, a testament to Ricci's unparalleled harmonica artistry and the band's collective musical prowess.
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