Continued...

(Houston's Mix Of Blues
by Michael Flynn
for Blueswax 10/08/03)

Phil Marquez's piano on that track should be noted and he should have taken a solo!
The music of the Gulf Coast has always been a funky mix of the Texas, Chicago, the South and South of the Border. This is shown well on Ashton Savoy's great "Jangle Jangle (Down Mexico Way)." Sonny Boy blows big and deep on this one and adds the percussion of Roberto Enrique Zenteno III and background vocals of Allison Fisher to make it all come together. That is followed by Willie Dixon's "Business Man," featuring more of Burchfield's guitar and Marquez's piano.

Another great cover is Slim Harpo's "Moody Blues" which features a fine blow on the tenor from Grady Gaines. This is followed by "Take Your Time" by Sonny Boy and guitarist Allison and features a cool vibes solo from Harry Sheppard. Pierre Stoot's accordion is added to a fine harp intro and Allison's tasty picking to take a look on up the gulf on "Hey Zydeco." On this original Sonny Boy shows that his voice is a little more versatile than at first glance.

In another tribute to Houston harp legend "Juke Boy" Bonner we hear his "Railroad Tracks," featuring some great "train" harp and ripping licks from Adam Burchfield. After that roaring cut we slide slowly into Albert King's "Laundromat Blues" with Sonny Boy's voice pouring out like that crucial third shot of rye on a night that isn't gonna close until after a few more. Joe "Guitar" Hughes sits in with Allison on this fine Blues cut. Allison shows more of his licks on the following instrumental, "Holman and Dowling." The closer is a cover of Lightnin' Hopkins' harp player Billy Bizor's "Screwdriver." On it Sonny Boy draws out some fat notes over Allison's rockin' guitar before pulling out a little talking Blues and then closing it down with more harp. Whew! It seems like the whole thing just started.

This album was released simultaneously with a Live At Miss Ann's Playpen." From those sessions we get a great bonus track featuring Terry with Little Ray Ybarra and Jeffrey P. Ross on guitars. It is a rockin' version of Big Walter Price's "Pack Fair and Square." If the goal is to make you want both albums, it succeeds!

Breakfast Dance is great album of roadhouse Blues that will make you move your feet, get you down and bring you up all in a few tracks. Sonny Boy Terry is a fine performer, blows a mean harp, belts out the Blues and has some talented friends to back him up. Throw another beer on the Barbie, this is one Breakfast Dance worth staying up for!

Michael Flynn is a writer and musician in Baltimore.

Sonny Boy Terry's - Breakfast Dance

Sonny Boy Terry's -Live At Miss Ann's Playpen