Ten years ago when visiting the Jersey shore I would venture to the now defunct Jason's Jazz & Blues in South Belmar. On jam nights Stringbean Sorenson would join in on harmonica. Today he fronts his own band Stringbean and The Stalkers. This is their third album on Blues Leaf Records.

Stringbean Sorenson's voice is that of a country or bluesgrass tenor. The band plays a mixture of Chicago and Piedmont styled Blues and sometimes they sound like the early Grateful Dead with Rod McKernan (PigPen). This album was recorded Live @ The Rajin' Cajun in Belmar, where they play Sunday nights, it has become home. The band consists of Ken Stringbean Sorenson, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Sonny Kenn, lead guitar; Dave Meyers, bass; and Vic Bayers, drums.

Beginning with a spirited instrumental, by Dave Meyers, Ken's harmonica and Sonny's guitar exchange solos and set the stage for Blues 101. "I'm Gonna Keep What I Got" is from Slim Harpo. Sonny's guitar opens Matt "Guitar" Murphy's "Boogie Thing". Next is Jon Lee Hooker's "Crawling King Snake". On Jimmie Rodgers "Blue Yodel 9", Stringbean's vocal sounds like Jerry Garcia. They follow that with Jimmy Rogers' "Walkin By Myself" and Solomon Burke's "It's Allright". They also reprise, three songs from Muddy Waters, "She's 19 Years Old", "Walking In The Park", and "Two Trains Running"; two from Billy Boy Arnold, "I Wish You Would", and "1-2-99"; and one each from William Clarke, "Greasy Gravy"; Otis Rush, "Double Trouble"; and John Mayall, "Room To Move". The album closes with an original instrumental from Stringbean Sorenson.

The rhythm section of Dave Meyers and Vic Bayers lay the foundation that lets Sonny Kenn and Stringbean solo, and do they ever. Stringbean's harmonica dances throughout the recording while Sonny Kenn's tasteful guitar licks complete the sound. The band derives some of its inspiration from the Grateful Dead and the overall results will satisfy the appetite of any Blues fanatic or deadhead.

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