Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts

“Connecticut’s Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts are young East Coast masters of the jumping West Coast sound. Hartt’s a stunning harp player with crazy chops and some of Bill Clarke’s dramatic flair. His band (Nick Toscano on drums and Steve Combs on bass) swings hard, and guitarist Eric Ducoff has just the right tone and dictionary of preposterous phrases and quotations to make this kind of music cook. Each cut shifts shape with every listen-it sounds as if the Blue Hearts logged a ton of bandstand time with these songs before recording “Empty Wallet” in two days’ time. Having Rick Holmstrom produce couldn’t hurt; he contributes guitar to a few tracks, as do Troy Gonyea and Nick Adams. Highlights abound: There’s the Little Walterish “On My Mind,” the Jimmy Reed-style shuffle “New Love, Old Love,” the nasty “I’d Be a Fool,” and the devastating closer, “North of Franklin.” - Tom Hyslop

”It ain’t only the guys on the West coast who can jump the blues. This is one CD guaranteed to turn any room in the house into a swinging, Friday night juke.” - Art Tipaldi

”With approximately 30 newly received CDs on my desk, most won’t ever make it to one of my play lists. Often an entire cd won’t last 30 seconds after the needle drops. I need to hear a couple of hits on a record before I’ll even consider it for air play. The latest CD by Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hearts, “Yeah Man!” is chock full of hits. Go get it, play it and jump around the room!” - Beef Stew

“Yeah Man!” is probably the best recording ever by a CT band, and stands with the best recordings from the rest of the country, too.” - Peter Rost

”Just about everywhere you go, there’s a “local guy” completely unknown outside his turf who’s a very, very good guitar player, as good or better than some of those touring the country. On this disc, Eric Ducoff shows he’s one of those guys.” - Dave Carpenter

”Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts have put their own stamp on their blues, playing with feeling and ‘heart’ just as the blues should be. Every generation of artists looks to the younger generation to carry on the traditions. With their debut CD, Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts join this group of artists taking the blues into the future.” - Jerry Hall

“This is one fine release. You better check the small print on your rearview mirror; The print that reads, 'Rising young blues stars may be approaching faster than they appear...' - Chuck Nevitt

With this latest release, the band will become established amongst the best American blues bands. The Connecticut-based combo has to be regarded as a serious competitor to establsihed bands like the Mighty Flyers. Hartt and Ducoff (who also produced) are excellent, tasteful musicians. A superb album. - Detlev Hoegen

The Blue Hearts round out their trademark West Coast sound by venturing into new territory featuring tracks with organ jazz, lowdown Chicago Blues, Louisiana swamp grooves and even a little taste of south of the border. Add to the mix special guest Junior Watson and you have one hell of a dynamite release that cannot miss. But even without the enlisted talents of the legendary Junior Watson, this is a solid group effort that marks the beginning of what will hopefully be a long and successful career. - Jeff Scott

If you thought West Coast-styled blues only came from the well-known names many are familiar with, dig into Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hearts' "Yeah Man!" and find out what you've been missing. A masterful follow-up from a relatively new band to be reckoned with as they continue on their path of tearin' it up! - Craig Ruskey