 Louisiana Red Hot Records Review . . . The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks starring Luther Kent |
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Deep In the Heart
(Louisiana Red Hot Records)
There's something about big band blues, especially when you have a live audience pushing the band, the country's best R&B (I mean the real R&B) shouter up front, and a full bore horn section, B-3, piano, and a kickin' rhythm section, that just makes you wanna jump up and SHOUT SISTER!
Anyone who has not had the opportunity to catch the Fabulous Chickenhawks live with Luther Kent is missing an essential experience in his/her life. And, I'm pleased to say, this recording has captured the excitement about as well you can.
This gig was booked for the 50th birthday party of Mark Neiderhauser, Virgin Records executive, at Antone's in Austin Texas. Why did Mark ask for a regional cult band with guys mostly in their 50's? "Because the Chickenhawks are the best R&B band in the Texas-Louisiana roadhouse tradition that has ever been assembled ...and Luther Kent is simply our all-time favorite blues singer. Why he is not a major star is simply a mystery that we hope time will correct" is why, Mark says.
Kent and Chickenhawks founder, Cadillac Jack Calmes (guitar) go way back to early Louisiana roadhouse gigs in the mid-'60s when Jack was the house bandleader at the Boom Boom Room in Bossier City and, later, owner and house band leader of Soul City in Dallas. In between, Kent was the lead signer for Blood Sweat and Tears for three years in the'70s, recorded for Ode Records as Cold Grits and was featured on the Steven Bochco network TV series Cop Rock. With horns arranged by Charlie Brent, this band is tight tight tight. The ballads are smooth, midnight tear jerkers, the jump blues numbers REALLY rock, and the recording is excellent.
- Kathleen Rippey
Off Beat Magazine