PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Search results for tas cru

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Friday, July 12, 2024

#693 : Tas Cru - All Natural Cage-Free and Fan-Fed (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Subcat Music Studios
Release Date : Sep. 27, 2024

By Phillip Smith; July 12, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

New York bluesman Tas Cru drew me in with his studio albums, but it was his live shows at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee and the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin that poured the icing on the cake for me. Tas’ latest album All Natural Cage-Free and Fan-Fed is a live album which wonderfully captures that energy of his fan-selected top-ten songs. Produced by Tas, and recorded live at Subcat Music Studios in October of 2023, the album features Tas on vocals/guitar, Mia Casale on vocals, Tom Terry on bass/vocals, Phil Diiordio on drums/vocals, and Scott Ebner on piano/organ.

Ebner rips it up on organ, as Tas fearlessly bursts the saloon door open with “’Dat Maybe”. This high-octane number is the perfect one to ignite the set. Lined up next is the funky “Stand Up” and the infectious “Brown Liquor Woman”. These two are favorite songs of mine from Tas’ previous album Riffin’ The Blue. While on the topic of brown liquor, “Have a Drink” coincidentally lands next in line with Casale’s lovely voice fronting the vocals. I love “Grizzle n’ Bone” and can’t help but sing along when it plays. “Heal My Soul” from Memphis Song brings the record to its conclusion with a heavy pulse, dazzling piano, riveting guitar, and the fierce pairing of Tas’ and Mia’s voices.

Sometimes I just need a Tas Cru fix, and this All Natural Cage-Free and Fan-Fed live album will be the perfect go-to Tas album… until the next one comes along.

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· Note: If you catch Tas live this summer, you’ll want to pick this CD up then and there, as the official release date is not until Sep. 27.

For more information about Tas Cru, visit the website at https://tascru.com

Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Tas Cru through this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tas+cru

Saturday, January 28, 2023

#594 > Tas Cru - Riffin' the Blue (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2023 – SubCat Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 28, 2023

Release Date : Feb. 3, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Riffin’ the Blue, the latest from New York bluesman Tas Cru, certainly lives up to its name. The riffs are infectious and deliciously bluesy, making for a fantastic new batch of home-grown originals from Tas. The album is self-produced and features Tas on vocals and guitar with Mary Ann Casale on backing vocals, Ron Keck on percussion, Bruce Katz on piano/organ, Andy Hearn on drums, and Bob Purdy on bass. Special guests include Mike Zito, Lenny Milano, and Bill Barry.

With Zito tearing it up with a smoking performance on lead guitar, the album bursts wide open with the title-track “Riffin’ the Blues”. The organ accompaniment from Barry sounds glorious on this rocking blues shuffle. A funky beat and a swinging rhythm is the backbone for the rally cry of “Stand Up”. It’s an absolute favorite which quickly brings me up on my feet. I love the lush Mark Knopfler-ish tone Tas pulls out of his guitar on “Throw it All Away”. Tas’ approach to writing and composing often reflect a Warren Zevon kind of style. “Crazy Getting in My Way” is a fine example of a song which falls into that category. It’s quite an amazing track. Riffin’ the Blue concludes with the haunting blues of “Memphis Gone” which showcases the talent of Zito on slide guitar. The emotion Tas poignantly pours into his vocal and guitar performance is deeply felt.

Riffin’ the Blue is a brilliant album and is now my favorite release from Tas Cru. I highly recommend this one.

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For more information about Tas Cru, visit his website at : https://tascru.com

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Tas Cru at : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tas+cru

Monday, May 12, 2025

#745 : Pinetop Boogie & Crawfish Boil 2025 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Ground Zero Blues Club
Clarksdale, Mississippi
May 10, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May 12, 2025

Original source: phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It was indeed a pleasure to attend the 2025 Pinetop Boogie & Crawfish Boil at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This event benefits the Pinetop Perkins Foundation whose primary mission is “ to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career; and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career”. Before the festivities began, I made my usual stop down the street to my favorite store Cat Head to listen a bit to Terry “Harmonica” Bean and purchase a few CDs. Afterward, I pushed off to Hambone Gallery to hear a great set of music from Guitar Frenchie before returning to Ground Zero for the brunt of the day.

Acts at Ground Zero included Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore, Billy Flynn, John Primer, Tas Cru, Johnny Burgin, Kevin Burt, Tony Braunagel, Jim Pugh, Billy Price, Anthony Geraci, Thornetta Davis, Oscar Wilson, Billy Gibson, Wyly Bigger, David Julia, Heather Crosse, Lee Williams, Lala Craig, Anthony Sherrod, Deak Harp, Six String Andrew, Liz Lottmann & Delta Divas, Steve Kolbus & the Clarksdale Blues Revue, The Pinetoppers. Christone Kingfish even made an unexpected appearance. It was an extraordinary show!