Fabulous Thunderbirds and James Harman Band veteran Kid
Ramos has a thing for the '50s. It's evident in everything from his style
of dress--perfectly sculpted hair, turned-up jeans cuffs, white socks with
black shoes--to his version of Roy Brown's "Love Don't Love Nobody" from
Ramos' delectable sophomore solo release for Evidence. It's a party
indeed, given the guests Ramos has invited to share in the fun: Gatemouth
Brown, Duke Robillard, James Harman, Junior Watson, Rusty Zinn and plenty
more. One might think that with so many stellar musicians in one place,
the musical broth might be spoiled, but it's not so; West Coast House
Party is as savory and flavorful as one could hope for.
Ramos, evidently, feels that not enough attention has been
paid to the West Coast portion of blues history, and here he sets to
rectify the matter with selections from T-Bone Walker ("Strollin' with
Bone"), Amos Milburn ("House Party," "Silly Dilly Woman") and other
luminaries of the scene past and present. The album's 16 tracks provide
for plenty of highlights, from the laid-back, easygoing swing of "Silly
Dilly Woman" and the Rick Holmstrom showcase "One Bar Short" to Little
Charlie Baty's guitar work on the Chicago-inflected "Guitar Player" and
Robillard and Gatemouth Brown trading licks on "Welcome Blues." Overall,
the disc offers an excellent sample of the West Coast style, infused as it
is with elements of jazz, swing and rock 'n' roll; everything on West
Coast House Party is eminently danceable, making it a party record
indeed. Summer's over and autumn's on the way out, but this collection's
got to be good for at least a few weeks of sunshine.
-- Originally appeared in Blues Revue No. 63,
December 2000, p. 59