Mary Jo Curry Band : Front Porch
Mary jo Curry Band – Front Porch
Powerhouse Blues vocalist from Central Illinois Mary Jo Curry has a background in theater, which prepared her to channel the role of “Katharina”; Shakespeare’s headstrong and obdurate shrew, as inspiration for her latest album Front Porch, set for a February of 2020 release. The new album is a follow-up to her self titled debut in 2016, with her now leading a solid lineup that forms the Mary Jo Curry Band. Her “Petruchio,” is guitarist and partner in crime Michael Rapier, who co-wrote seven of the new tracks and co-produced the new album. The duo is backed by the crackerjack rhythm section of Rick Snow on drums, Chris Rogers on Bass and Keyboardist Brett Donovan with Brian Moore on saxophone, rounding out the touring band. Curry invited guitar slinging friends, Albert Castiglia, and Tom Holland along with vocalist Andrew Duncanson to be special guests on the album, and each adds special flavor to the mix. The nine original numbers a select cover and a song written for Mary Jo by Andrew “Blaze” Thomas, the legendary Chicago Blues drummer, showcase the talents of a woman born to sing the Blues.
South Florida bluesman Albert Castiglia makes his first of three appearances on the opening track ‘Nothing Is Easy.’ Adding a gritty lead guitar to Curry’s tale of a delta deal gone awry. She then leads the band into full on party mode for the joyous boogie ‘Turn It Loose.’ Boldly declaring “It don’t matter what we do as long as I can hear some blues.” She delivers a scathing rebuke to her lover on ‘All Your Lies,’ while Tom Holland adds ice pick lead guitar to the heavy Chicago shuffle. She sinks her teeth into the complications of a fatal attraction on the slinky R&B track ‘The Man.’ Duncanson steps up to trade Barbs with Curry over a steamrolling “Good Morning School Girl,” styled riff on the superheated duet ‘Lookin,’ a track that is sure to garner radio attention.
The group takes some liberties with the “Stormy Monday,” changes during the sentimental Blues ballad, ‘House Is Lonely.’ Finally, Curry unleashes all of her sound and fury for ‘Explaining The Blues,” the dramatic showstopper written exclusively for the vocalists’ expansive dynamic and emotional range. The swinging instrumental ‘Shake & Bake,’ is a cleansing intermission from all the vocal histrionics, giving each member of the Band a moment to shine. The fun loving reading of ‘We All Had A Real Good Time,’ stays true to the original 1972 Edgar Winter Group recording with Castiglia stepping into the role of Ronnie Montrose on the southern Rock party anthem. The narrative reaches a fever pitch in the driving Blues Rocker ‘Front Porch’ with Curry playing the Mourning Bride and detailing her plan to exact her furious revenge for being scorned. The album resolves with the Gospel infused track ‘Joyful,” by taking us to church for a glorious celebration of love. This strong sophomore release, Front Porch, reveals the strides the group has made over 4 years as a working unit and gives us a view into the Blues Heart of the Mary Jo Curry Band.
Rick J Bowen
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