Terry Gillespie now living in Ottawa, previously hailed from Detroit where he "opened" and played backup for blues legends Howlin Wolf, Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker, and Buddy Guy. He also played with reggae superstars Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff and Dennis Brown. In 1979 Terry formed theband, Heaven's Radio which occasionally still performs.

In 2001 Terry began a Jam which resulted in the formation of The Granary Blues All-stars. They played The Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2002 and again in 2004. The later was recorded and released as The Granary Blues All-stars "Again". That album consisting mostly of blues covers was reviewed in Blueswax in July 2004; the reviewer said "they raise the hackles on your neck"; "this is a very soulful group that needs to be heard".

Today their music is a sweet "Tiramisu" consisting of liquor-soaked layers of blues, reggae, country and jazz. This follow up album consists of eleven songs, ten written by Terry "Toon" Gillespie. Each of the well crafted "toons" contains a hook, sometimes lyrical, while other times a riff, arrangement or sentimentality. The band includes Terry Gillespie, guitar, vocals, trumpet; Stepehen Barry, bass; Gordon Adamson, drums, percussion; Peter Measroch, piano, organ; Jody Golick, saxophones, and Martin Boodman, harmonicas.

Opening with "Brother of The Blues", Terry writes and sounds like Greg Brown. The surprise here is a funky little beat that "powers" the song. The careful choice of words and phrasing makes it stick in your head. On "Yellow Moon" the surprise is the "ska" sounding horns that join in on the second verse. Jody Golick's saxophone is infectious. "Big Boy" is a rockabilly treat, "when I grow up I want to have a big band", once again it's the "big band styled" horns that pick it up in the middle.

Terry Gillespie's soft trumpet on "Carl Nicholson" begins a Jimmy Cliff influenced reggae tribute to Terry's musical influences including Carl Nicholson, Steve Valentine and Van Morrison. Terry Gillespie sounds like Van Morrison when he sings on "Love Again"; Peter Measroch's piano is perfect. "Cold Ground" is a Hoyt Axton sounding country blues with nice harp playing by Martin Boodman.

"Those Days Are Gone", rollicks and Terry sounds like Bob Dylan. "Change My Style" is the only song on the album not written by Terry and he credits it as being "Traditional". "Rue Guy Boogie" is the best blues on the album and once again Jody Golick, saxophone, solos nicely. "Bathtub" probably started as a kids song, but it is so much fun as it "reggaes" out, horns and all. "Krushev" at first seems dated but after several listens one imagines it is also a children's song that has somehow grown up.

Sue Foley plays lead guitar and credits Terry Gillespie as a major influence in her career. Terry Gillespie & The Granary Band possess a "magic" that seems to occur right in the middle of each song. It's what causes the hairs to rise on the back of your neck.

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