Review of Professor Louie and the Crowmatix CD

Professor Louie and the Crowmatix has been a Narrows fave for a long time, and they're returning on Saturday, April 30th. For your reference here's a review of their latest CD "A Century of the Blues." The review was published on BluesBytes on-line magazine.

It's generally a positive review, but the writer offers some observations that we may or may not agree with:

The title of the 44-minute CD from Prof. Louie & the Crowmatix, Century Of The Blues (Woodstock Records), contains the word blues but its a stretch to classify the disc or the band as blues. According to bandleader Aaron L. Hurwitz (AKA Prof. Louie), "The theme (of this CD) is different styles of the blues and different influences on me." At the core, this Woodstock, New York-based band is made up of Prof. Louie (vocals, organ, piano, accordion, songwriter, producer), Miss Marie (vocals, percussion), Bobbie Van Detta (guitar), Gary Burke (drums) and Frank Campbell (bass). They are joined by eight additional musicians, including Tom "Bones" Malone (trombone, trumpet and saxes) from the original Saturday Night Live band and currently of the David Letterman band. You can’t help notice the similarities The Crowmatix have with The Band. Many of The Crowmatix worked with former members of The Band. Prof. Louie produced their three 1990s releases and also produced albums for Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. The title track of the Crowmatix fifth CD, deals with the history of the blues. Here, Lou’s robust vocals sound like a cross between Neil Young and Levon Helm. This is not a blues tune in the traditional sense. It is more complicated than that. The horns on this soul/rock number create a brass fiesta while Lou flies on the keys. Malone’s arrangements are impressive throughout, but they carry the most impact here and they absolutely shine on Al Green’s classic Memphis soul "Ain’t No Fun To Me." "Some Bad News" is soul/blues at its best and is the album’s highlight. With ultra-emotion, Lou delivers moving lyrics such as: "I see you sitting down and cryin’ but I can’t help you at all / I’m gonna find my way and disappear." Don’t be surprised if Bobby Bland or someone of his caliber covers the song in near future. The group delivers the most eclectic version of "Clouds In My Heart" you will ever hear. In fact, you’ll only recognize the words of this Muddy Waters song as the music has been completely re-arranged. Louie’s tasteful accordion and Dave Cook’s eccentric jaw harp give the song uniqueness and new life. Drunken sailors will be envisioned when you hear the music of the sea shanty called "One More Day." The chorus and main rhythm repeats a few times too many but the slide guitar is dazzling while the piano rocks like a storm tossed ship. "I wanted to do something that reflected the horrible thing that happened in Africa. About stealing people away to make them slaves," says Louie as to why he included the song. The group’s versatile ways continue on the rockin’ boogie "Sirens In The Night" which "is about the blues labels that started in the ‘40s and ‘50s from people who were originally not from this country." Compared with the other nine songs on the disc, it is too harsh and its 1970s-style rock opera organ seems out of place. "Sittin’ In My House" is an old Bessie Smith tune that features melancholic trumpet. Here, Miss Marie steps up from background vocals to the forefront but she sounds out of her comfort zone. "Out To Lunch Eyes" contains hints of Cajun and zydeco music set to Ed Sanders’ novelty lyrics. "Shake Your Money Maker" contains the blues of a master, rocked up like the bands of the late ‘60s. "Ballerina" is the sole ballad. It comes across as if they are trying too hard to make the song a hit. The sound on this track is hallow and the constant, crashing cymbals sound too tinny. The tune ends in a psychedelic rock haze reminiscent of Hendrix. Louie’s production is good but the sound quality isn’t always crisp. That’s just what he wants and it comes from using a spontaneous process to record. Louie told me, "Every time I try to make more sophisticated records, I don’t like it." This band does not perform the same old blues but rather focuses on roots Americana. They cover a lot of ground which was all inspired by roots music. This is a group of incredibly talented musicians. The deep, in-the-pocket drums and the richly-textured organ are exceptional. Best described as a party of musical mixology. For additional info, see www.woodstockrecords.com.