Album Notes

This is the band's 3rd CD, the first with New Drummer Jeff Van Clief. We are very proud of it. Here's what the critics say:
FAT VINNY & THE WISEGUYS - TIGHT PLAY (no label) On their third studio album, Tight Play, Altoona-based blues trio Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys continue their exploration of blues-rooted sounds, this time loosely centered around the metaphorical theme of card games and poker. Singer/guitarist E. Vincent "Fat Vinny" Kelly, bassist Randy Ketner and drummer "Dutch" Jeff Van Clief again use blues as their launching pad to explore different styles and sounds over the album's thirteen card-faced tracks (plus two bonus tracks; 'jokers,' as described in the liner notes). These various blues-based explorations serve as the foundation for colorful lyrical storylines dealing with the poker game of life, wheeling and dealing with the opposite sex, bars, the road and more. The album starts off with the surf-flavored "Bad Men On The Run," highlighted by guest Denny Owens' wailing harmonica accompaniment. The following song, "Just Some Things," demonstrates a Chicago-like brassy flavor, courtesy of guest keyboardist/arranger Don Hughes and guest Tim Boland's sparking midsong keyboard work to boot. The slow and lowdown "My Girl Or My Guitar" explores the tough choice between love and art. Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys' apparent home turf remains boisterous blues-rock, demonstrated by the ZZ Top-flavored stomps "Barroom Floor" and "Feet Up on the Dashboard," the Stevie Ray Vaughan-informed "Lucky Charm," and the George Thorogood flavor of the comical "I'm Outdoors." The group cleverly uses poker metaphor on the Van Morrison-flavored ballad "5th Street," defining the moment where dream and vision convert to action and destiny. The group celebrates poker outright on the raucous and rowdy "Shuffle Up and Deal," and for card-faced track 'J,' strips AC/DC's "The Jack" (long a favorite of the group's live show) back to its blues roots. The album's only dark moment is the somber "Dark Places," inspired by a friend's sad-ending struggle with life's hard challenges. Produced by Kelly and Dave Moses, Tight Play sounds loose and playful, capturing the Wiseguys' spontaneity and live feel. The performances are sparkling yet at ease; Kelly's varied guitar displays shine throughout the disc, and Van Clief's drumming is busy but never overpowering. The guest musicians' contributions spice and brighten the sound further throughout the album. Tight Play is the brightest and strongest album from Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys yet; an album that shows this trio's flexibility and versatility, combined with a playful, lighthearted spirit. This band sounds like they had a blast making this album, and listeners should have a comparable good time listening to it. In my book, one of the best albums to emerge from the regional music scene this year - I recommend! Jim Price, Pennsylvania Musician Magazine.