Little Charlie & The Nightcats are more than a blues band. They draw on many influences from swing to rockabilly to rock n'roll. On their new Alligator Records release they open with "Keep Your Big Mouth Shut, buddy we can all be friends". These guys are a party band and they're here to see you smile, the fifty's beat is infectious, and the addition of the tenor and baritone sax's give it extra bounce. Little Charlie Baty's guitar solo is insane.

Right away on the next tune Rick Estrin harmonica, sings "when it comes to my package, Handle with Care". Rick Estrin has written most of the bands songs and this is among his most hilarious. If life were a contest the winner would be the one who had the most fun, and they would have been listening to this band, believe me. Rick's harp solo show's why he is one of the best harmonica players on the scene.

Retro, original, roots rockin', honky tonkin', this is "So Good". Lorenzo Farrell's bass and Charlie Baty's guitar are delightfully syncopated. Next J. Hansen, the drummer, shows off with a "rumba" type beat on "Got to Have a Job". Rick lays down the law when it comes to relationships. We live in a two-income society; his monologue is so true it's scary.

"Circlin' the Drain", is a deep blues of dramatic reality. Rick has nailed it here. When your goin' down your really going down. Little Charlie Baty's guitar helps increase the drama, and the unusual beat drives home that sinking feeling.

"Don't Cha Do Nothin'" is my motto whenever I have a problem, sometimes you gotta "stew" before you know what to do. This is the advice given by Rick Estrin in this "ode", and one of my favorites. Why over react? The Original Faded Boogie Quartet (Rusty Zinn, George Zinn, R. H. Hairless, and Ronnie James Weber) handle the background vocals.

"Cool Johnny Twist" is the tune getting the most "air". It's about a blues guitarist record store owner, who was once in a band with Rick. He definitely left an impression.

"Tag" (You're it) is a license for Little Charlie to rip it up on guitar. This instrumental is in the swing tradition. Little Charlie Baty can scratch it out in the background or step it up and hit one. When he's "it", he's really it.

Chris Shebert's, piano shines throughout the recording but especially on "Quittin' Time". J. Hansen, the drummer, wrote and sings lead on "Deep Pockets", Rick Estrin's harp punctuates.

Rick's harp goes "Wall to Wall", and then it becomes "Sugar Daddy Sweet", but the time changes defy any "meeting in the middle". Just like real time. "Slap Happy" is a Charlie Baty original.

Little Charlie Baty and Rick Estrin, met in high school. They both played harp. Charlie Baty switched to guitar, and what a great decision that was. They have been playing together thirty years and have released a total of ten albums in all, and all on, Alligator Records.

The Blues Foundation in Memphis each year hosts a battle of the bands. Bands are judged both on their "blues" and on their "originality". This band is partially responsible for the continuing tradition of original Chicago based blues, and every band that enters the competition hopes that they can emulate and achieve what this band has achieved. Rick Estrin won a Handy award in 1993 for "Blues Song of The Year" with "My Next Ex-Wife" and the band has been nominated "Blues Band of The Year" for each of the last three years.

Yet, these guys without On Star and in their Volkswagen bus serpentine the country, and only a few of us get it. Please go out and support this band which I promise will make you smile.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com