2024 – Lightning In A Bottle
Records
By Phillip Smith; Oct. 12, 2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Since reviewing Chad Rupp
and the Sugar Roots’ previous album last year, I’ve been totally onboard
with their soulful approach to music. The latest recording from this Portland,
Oregon ensemble is titled Gate 23 and hits like a fresh breath of
air. I’m quite fond of the all-original guitar-centric, horn-infused blues they
create.
Rupp and Sugar Roots quickly grab the attention of my ears with the suave and rockin’ blues of “Fresh Suits”. His guitar solo hits like a blast of Joe Walsh, and I soak it all up. As if simmered in a pot of funky New Orleans gumbo, “She Got That Business” surely puts a smile on my face. The masterful, slow dripping piano-laced blues on title-track “Gate C23” wonderfully captures the experience of being stuck in the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. No trip to Beale Street in Memphis should be without a visit to Blues City CafĂ© for an evening of southern delicacies and top-notch entertainment. Rupp’s homage to this eatery and juke joint cleverly name-drops a plethora of musicians and menu items often found there with “Blues City Cafe”. Growing up as one of those boys who had to shop for clothes in the ‘husky’ section of J.C. Penney, “Fat Kid Boogie” makes for a fun track loaded all the sweet treats which I often crave. The album comes to a funky jam-packed end with “Blind, Crippled & Crazy”. I dig the way the song opens up to allow each member of the band to shine on this track.
Chad Rupp and the Sugar Roots have certainly scored again. Gate C23 is a terrific album, and further fuels my urge to see them in a live show. I’m definitely keeping an eye on this band.
Check out additional PhillyCheeze
reviews of Chad Rupp with this link:
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Chad+Rupp
