Blind Pig Records, 2013
By Phillip Smith;
January 11,
2014
In November, 2012, Jimmy Vivino,
leader of Jimmy Vivino and The Basic Cable Band on Conan, reunited the Black
Italians, a band formed twenty years ago, for a concert and recording session at
Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. This
nine member ensemble consists of Vivino (guitar, vocals, piano), Catherine
Russell (vocals) Felix Cabrera (harmonica, vocals), Danny Louis (keyboards, trombone,
snare drum, vocals) Mike Merritt (bass guitar), James Wormworth (drums), Mike
Jacobson (congas, bass drum, percussion), Fred Walcott (timbales, percussion) and
Justin Guip (snare drum).
13 Live captures
the energy and magic on the stage that evening, chronicling the performances of
a few originals and covers by Bob Dylan, Johnny Winter, Traffic, The Band, and
James Brown.
Vivino tears it up on guitar
as Cabrera does the same with his harmonica on Bob Dylan’s “From a Buick 6”. And what’s really cool about the performance of
“Maggie’s Farm”, another Dylan song, is the dueling lead vocals by Vivino and
Russell. Splitting the song into male and female lead parts makes it
interesting. Also, the background vocals
take on the role of an old-time gospel choir.
Can I get an Amen? This one is
pretty damn close to being my favorite song on the album.
With vocals reminiscent more
of Jimi Hendrix, Vivito takes on Johnny Winter’s “Fast Live Rider” with unbridled
ferocity. Guiding this track is Justin Guip,
who lays down a driving head-bobbing rhythm on the snare. Another Seventies
inspired cover they perform is Traffic’s classic, “Light Up or Leave Me Alone”. This one gets kind of funky, and Vivito’s
vocals on this one remind me of Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night. Vivito and company also hit a homerun on their
cover of the Band’s “Shape I’m In”. Louis
nails the keyboards, giving it a soulful groove. I believe this is what the song may have sounded
like if it were originally recorded at Stax studios in Memphis, TN. The way Catherine
Russell delivers the vocals on Sugar Pie Desanto’s “Soulful Dress” is sexy and
soulful. Her lead vocals on “Fools Gold”
is just as sweet.
“Song for Levon”, is a poignant
tribute to the late Levon Helm, who passed away earlier in 2012, the same year
this was recorded. Vivino, playing piano
and singing in a style reminiscent of Randy Newman, recalls his memories of the
good times he shared with his good friend.
I feel my heartstrings being tugged on and I well up a little with
emotion with each listen. I love the
last line, ‘It’s not what you take with you, it’s what you leave behind’. That’s so true, and such an inspirational
thing to sing.
13 Live,
this thirteen track recording, is outstanding and I wish I could have been in
Woodstock to experience it in person.
