Album Notes

It is a geographical fact that Lucy Creek is a real creek outside of Waco, TX. It is also a fact that Lucy Creek is a musical connection that flows out of West TX through Chicago and into Northwestern WI. The Lucy Creek Blues Band was born in November of ‘04 and Klassix Lounge in Eau Claire, WI was its unofficial home until a fire destroyed the club in early May of 2006. Yes, "the band was hot that night." I discovered that every Tuesday night is “therapy night” for the band members and now they are at the Stone's Throw. When I saw/heard them, it was very clear to me that two ingredients always make it a fun party: the great fans and…The Lucy Creek Blues Band.
The name of this CD is “Public Rehearsal.” It’s a perfect name because the group does not rehearse. That shocked me. But I watched them on stage and saw that they decide on the spot which song they are going to play and sometimes they talk through the pattern during the song. “Insta-chart” they jokingly call it. Someone counts off and the music begins. It works because Kevin, Sue, John and Pete leave their egos at the door.
This CD is the product of four nights of recording live at Klassix in the autumn of 2005 and it definitely captures their sound and energy. When I listened to it, I thought that I was right there on stage with them. I heard an occasional bit of static, probably because the power dipped or surged. But I didn’t mind because it’s a LIVE recording.
The first cut Empty Arms / Dead Armadillo (the group’s signature song) sets the pace for the rest of the CD. Mr. Cellophane is from a Broadway musical and the third song is Kevin’s “reverse blues” rendering of his tune I’m So Happy For You Baby. On the fourth selection Sue takes over with her own composition entitled Look What You Made Me Do.
Then comes Childhood Sweetheart, a story capably told by Pete and the slow blues of Some Day After Awhile highlights both Kevin and Sue. Moondance follows with even more outrageous solos.
It blew me away that Lucy Creek plays more than just blues and the famous big band song Harlem Nocturne is another outstanding example. It is followed by the 1959 groove tune Linda Lu and Sue’s tenor sax just wails. Kevin’s rendition of Empty Glass is one of the best on the recording and I almost cried. Sue’s treatment of Green Tomatoes, which also features both Kevin and Pete, reveals the talent in this group. Then, when I heard Comin’ Home Baby, the band’s regular sign-off tune that includes John’s drum solo, I was left wondering when the next CD will be released. (Let the CD play on, 'cause there's a hidden track after #12.)
I enjoyed “Public Rehearsal” for many musical reasons. But mainly, I recognized that the Lucy Creek band members knew what they were doing, were not afraid to experiment, and that they respected one another. When I saw them live, it was obvious that they were having way too much fun and that they often didn’t want to end a tune or quit playing at the end of the night. They truly have public rehearsals. (I was told that the club has actually had to stop them so that it could close at bar time.)
I found this CD to be a refreshing change from the studio-manufactured sound that we normally hear. I urge you to check out their website [lucycreek.net ] for more information about this outstanding quartet. And check out tiyospayepublishing.com for some unusual photos of the band when they played for the bass player's book release party.
Eddie Fox, Music Reviewer, Madison, WI