David Raitt began his partnership with the Baja Boogie Band from Pescadero, in lower Baja, Mexico, in April of 2012. Summer 2014 saw the release of Blues A Rockin’ — a collection of twelve tracks that reflects the fun and good times this five-piece band have been having ever since. Bass player and Northwest native Dave Hutcheson produced the album at Collage Road recording studios in Spokane, WA, focusing the sound around Raitt’s easy-going vocal style.
Blues a Rockin’ kicks off with five original tunes, beginning with the swinging “Ain’t That the Way,” then the ’60s pop-soul-infused title track. Guitarist Johnny Knapp opens “Baja Boogie” with a gritty riff and the band slides into an easy shuffle. It’s infused with the Latin percussion that is their signature sound. Raitt gets low down as he reveals his heartache on the slow twelve bar blues tune “Control.” The band further explains their good-time Baja philosophy during the slipper funk of “Not All There.” They rev up the B.B. King classic “Buzz Me,” before Chuck Swanson adds greasy sax to Raitt’s horn-fueled soul burner “With You Darlin.” The playful cover of “Use Me,” with its Grateful Dead vibe, shows why the band is a party favorite. Raitt delivers the goods on soul standard OV Wright’s “Rather Be Blind,” and Little Richard’s “Directly,” living up to the reputation of his family name.
Rick J Bowen
