This is a cool album. It is full of surprises, all original tunes each one with a different feel.  What I like is that they mixed it up with the vocals. Some tunes you get the husky voice of Tony Quarrington, who reminds me a lot of Bruce Springstein - others you get the vocals of Louise Peacock, who sometimes sounds like June Carter Cash, and sometimes like a sultry nightclub singer.  They even sing a duet on one song. The production and instrumentation is brilliant. You are going to love this album.
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I've been a fan of blues music for almost 40 years and love it all, from the old guys like Albert King, Magic Sam, Otis Rush etc. to the more modern players such as Ronnie Earl and Stevie Ray. One thing that always bothers me about a lot of the modern blues acts is the lack of decent original material! Most bands do the same tired old covers, and when they do an original it is not that good IMHO, and without fresh original material the blues will die. 
Enter the Fat, Happy and Blue project! The first thing that struck me when I listened to this CD was the originality of the material. These are well written songs folks! Blues for the 21st century. Outstanding performances too by all involved, some of the best players in the Toronto blues scene. I dig all the tunes, but my favorite is the title track, "Surreal Memphis Blue". Pick this CD up folks, you won't be disapointed!
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English Translation of the Review of Surreal Memphis Blue appearing in 
the French online magazine "Blues Again"

Written by Gilles Blampain
_______________________

Although recorded in the studio, the atmosphere that emerges from this 
disc gives the impression of a club session. One where the cozy 
atmosphere makes you want to linger a long time.

The general tone is casual. The blues is there, but depending on the 
track, it takes a jazzy tone, complemented with a touch of folk, echoes 
of bluegrass, rock and more exotic, pulsating rhythms .

No wonder that when we know that before this joint venture each member 
of the group evolved into one or other of these worlds. The sound is 
clear, the atmosphere is warm, the voices are pleasant and you let 
yourself be lulled from one fun song to another.

The band is comprised of Louise Peacock on vocals, Tony Quarrington on 
guitars, mandolin, percussion, and vocals, Tony Laviola on bass and 
background vocals and Terry Martell on drums.

Surreal Memphis Blue signals the birth of the band, with Louise Peacock 
and Tony Laviola already working together since 2007, then joined by 
Tony Quarrington in January 2009, and in April 2009 they were joined by 
Terry Martell to enter the studio and record original 15 tracks,  the 
production of which is well worth the final result.

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