#369 : Wooden Nickel Lottery - Long Time Running

2018 – Violet Isle Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 05, 2019

Wooden Nickel Lottery, a four-piece band hailing from eastern Iowa, continues their tradition of producing a unique blend of rock, country, and blues with their third and latest release, Long Time Running.  The pairing of Rick Gallo’s soulful vocals with Rich Toomsen’s high energy guitar sounds great as bassist Jessica Toomsen, and drummer Delayne Stallman forge the pulse of a groovin’ rhythm section.  Of the nine tracks on the record, eight are notable originals written by Rich.       

Steeped in southern rock and paved with a Bob Seger vibe, title track “Long Time Running” is a badass tune evoking images of a cowboy on a mission.  I love listening to Rich rip it up on “The Right Man”.  This song is a true showcase for his guitar mastery.  A funky rhythm and a groovy contagious riff blows the doors open on “Drive By Love”, laying out the red carpet for Galllo’s signature voice.  “East to West” is a stellar favorite.  Rick’s smooth vocals take the reins, as the song energetically gallops in to an amazing listen featuring more blazing guitar from Rich and a hypnotic bass and drum backing from Jess and Stallman.    

With guest performances from Gerald Estella on organ and David Arnold on sax,  Long Time Running comes to a spectacular close with a stirring and beautiful cover of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”.  This song is definitely worth checking out, and so is the album.     

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Other PhillyCheeze articles about Wooden Nickel Lottery : 

#325 : Tinsley Ellis / Wooden Nickel Lottery live @ The Redstone Room

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/03/325-tinsley-ellis-wooden-nickel-lottery.html

Wooden Nickel Lottery - Down the Line

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/07/wooden-nickel-lottery-down-line.html

      

For more information about the artist, visit this website..  https://www.woodennickellottery.com/

Wooden Nickel Lottery - Down the Line

2016 – Violet Isle Records

By Phillip Smith; July 9, 2016

There’s something kind of special about Wooden Nickel Lottery’s latest album, Down the Line.  The songs take me back to the late Seventies, when rock music relied on well-written songs, and radio stations still played a mix of genres.  That’s exactly what these Eastern Iowa musicians have to offer, as they skillfully combine splashes of rock, blues, country, funk and soul to create their own special blend of homegrown tunes.  The band is composed of lead vocalist/guitarist Rick Gallo, guitarist/tunesmith Rich Toomsen, bassist Jessica Toomsen, and drummer Delayne Stallman.

Gallo soulfully belts out “Can’t Be Wrong” with a power and smoothness which reminds me of Foreigner’s Lou Gramm.  I dig the funky bassline Jess lays down on “No Second Chances”.  It puts a smile on my face with every listen.  It’s easy to get lost in the bluesy melody on “Yesterday’s Rain”. It’s nice and slow, with an Allman Brothers vibe.  Hearing this one played live with an extended jam would be a treat for sure.  WNL kicks out the jams in hoedown fashion for a downright bodacious and intense instrumental, “Throw It Down”.  They keep the fire burning with the rocker “The Open Road”, staying on course with a driving beat from Stallman as Rich sweetly rips it up on guitar.   

For a cool-as-hell finale, the album closes out with a swampy homage to the working man in the track “Nickels and Dimes”.  Wooden Nickel Lottery scores big with Down the Line.  It is such an enjoyable album, I anxiously await their next.