Music
Press
All The Buzz! Review by Cascade Blues Association
The Randy Oxford Band
Della Records
Total Time: 74:45
Think / Texas Hurricane / Knockin‚' Myself Out / Crazy ‚'Bout You / Bumble Bee / Why Don‚'t You Do Right? / Peach / Help Me / Moscow Blues / Darkness Of The Sun / Sugar In My Bowl / Hard Way To Go / High Flying Bird
By Greg Johnson, President of the Cascade Blues Assoc. Portland,OR.
Just from the opening revving up-build of Randy Oxford‚'s trombone that leads into the James Brown‚' classic ‚"Think,‚" you can tell right away that this album is unique. Despite the very capable guitar work of Steve Blood and Jerry Lee Davidson, it is clearly Oxford‚'s masterful horn that powers this band. And that alone sets this group apart from probably anybody else.
Randy Oxford is no stranger to the Northwest Blues scene, having played key stints with both Little Bill Englehardt and Junkyard Jane, he continues to keep himself working steadily with outfits such as Nicole Fournier‚'s 3-lb. Universe and The Howlers among many, many others. Along the way he has earned enough BB Awards from the Washington Blues Society that he‚'d need a wheelbarrow to transport them all. So when it came to putting together a band under his own name, Oxford gathered a fine collection of top-shelf musicians, bringing to the table a diverse background in musical tastes and regional upbringings. Jack Kinney on bass and drummer Riky Hudson provide compulsive backbeat to the dual guitar stylings of Blood and Davidson. And it all falls together quite nicely behind the rich voice of Virginia Klemens. Oxford himself provides enough sound from his single trombone that at times you‚'d swear there was a full horn section blowing the roof down here.
As you listen to The Randy Oxford Band‚'s debut release, ‚"All The Buzz!," unique can be said to be an understatement when hearing the new renditions of some very old Blues classics. There is such a feisty, funkiness behind it all. The Sonny Boy Williamson number ‚"Crazy ‚'Bout You‚" for example, could almost forget make you that this comes from a certified Chicago Blues man, offering perhaps more of a feeling of a band such as Cold Blood. Williamson is also the subject again with a stunning cover of his signature piece ‚"Help Me‚" and Memphis Minnie may have never envisioned her timeless number ‚"Bumble Bee‚" as the rambunctious shuffle depicted here. Riky Hudson takes a turn at vocals with a more modern number, Prince‚'s ‚"Peach,‚" that takes on the band‚'s personality to perfection. The definitive vocal highlights on this collection are Klemens‚' sultry take on ‚"Why Don‚'t You Do Right?‚" that‚'d make Peggy Lee proud and also the near-psychedelic ‚"Darkness Of The Sun,‚" that crosses vocals with guitar and trombone to the utmost level.
"All The Buzz!‚" is strong first release from a band that should be destined to become a Northwest favorite. Just knowing Randy Oxford‚'s stage presence and the trombone offered as a lead instrument here make this one group to check out! - Cascade Blues Association
HERITAGE MUSIC REVIEW--JULY, 2007
FOR BLUES TROMBONIST RANDY OXFORD, a NEW BAND, A NEW SOUND, AND A NEW CD
By Doug Bright
...The title of his recently released CD, MEMPHIS TO MOTOWN, reflects the change. "To be a modern day 21st century Blues band," he explains in his liner notes, "you have to branch out and embrace a style called "Americana", which includes R&B,Funk, Motown, Jazz, and all kinds of sounds wrapped around a Blues core."
Although this disc certainly displays a new sound, it's a far cry from the banal, commercialistic sellout that this hard-core traditionalist critic might
have feared. Steve Blood and guest guitarist Dean Reichert contribute
wonderfully complementary solos to such straight-ahead blues as Keb Mo's "Dirty low Down and Bad", Denise LaSalle's "Someone Else Is Steppin' In", and Delbert McClinton's "Go On". "Honey", a slow, minor-key blues co-written and sung by
new bassist Dominique Stone, gets an expressive guitar solo from Steve Blood that calls B.B. King to mind. Heather Rayburn, a native Texan who serves as primary lead vocalist, delivers most of her songs in a muscular, up-front contralto, but on Mildred Anderson's Forties-era blues "Cool Kind of Poppa", she employs what Oxford calls a "Betty Boop" style that evokes Maria Muldaur's
upper range.
Since the Randy Oxford Band had already included the James Brown hit
"Think" on its first release, the Memphis-to-Motown soul-music connection thatdefines its latest album constitutes more of an emphasis shift than a new
direction. Consequently, the material here that doesn't strictly qualify asblues encompasses Elvin Bishop's gospelesque "I'll Be Glad", the fun-loving funk of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Bow Wow", and a couple of Motor City hits from the early Seventies led by Dominique Stone. The best of these latter
tracks is Marvin Gaye's protest anthem "What's Going On", backed by tight, refreshing vocal harmony from the band. The closest thing to contemporary pop on this album is Joan Osborne's haunting "Safety In Numbers", which Heather
Rayburn delivers in a sensitive, country-influenced style that further
showcases her versatility.
Throughout the program, Randy Oxford utilizes the trombone's full range of tonal possibilities, riffing convincingly with the guitarists and taking solos that reflect the heat and spice of New Orleans or the cool of the Tommy Dorsey era as the situation demands. "I think that you will enjoy the "Americana" style of Blues that my band is exploring these days," he says in his new CD's
liner notes. Like his previous release, MEMPHIS TO MOTOWN can be purchased at live shows and on his website, www.randyoxford.com.
- Heritage Music Review, July 2007
Benefit Will Be Among Friends
RICK NELSON; THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: June 8th, 2007 01:00 AM
Randy Oxford might not have found the holy grail of working musicians, but he knows where to look.
The Randy Oxford Band, which will be part of the Friends of the Holidays benefit at the Swiss on Sunday, has a new album titled “Memphis to Motown.” Somewhere along that musical path, Oxford, a talented trombonist, has unearthed the ingredients for an original blend, one that combines elements of blues, jazz, R&B, funk, rock and even some country.
What makes his discovery special is that it could resolve a dilemma that’s plagued bandleaders for at least 40 years: How do you put feet on the dance floor every night without resorting to music that bores you and your musicians to death?
Oxford’s talented band, which will be one of seven acts at Sunday’s fundraiser for holiday meals, shouldn’t tire of playing “Memphis to Motown” music. The blend of styles leaves ample room for the instrumentalists, and singer Heather Rayburn, to stretch their wings.“The album ended up featuring a lot more jazz than I expected. And Heather has a country influence, and that’s helped us branch out,” Oxford said.
The whole group branches out on a track titled “Someone Else is Steppin’ In.” It features some very sophisticated interplay between the guitar, the rhythm section and Oxford’s seductive trombone.
“We had to let a guitar player go right in the middle of the project,” Oxford said, “so I pulled out the big guns and hired Dean Reichert to be the guest on the CD.”
Actually, Reichert’s work is part of a one-two punch, with guitarist Steve Blood getting in the first licks. The album also features drummer Riky Hudson singing on three tracks, including the fun and funky “Bow Wow.” “That’s one of our most-requested songs,” Oxford said.
You won’t be able to hear most of the album on Sunday (darn) because the benefit will feature seven acts (yay) doing half-hour sets starting at 4 p.m. “It’s my favorite benefit to work on,” Oxford said, “because I get to see the end results when we deliver the food right before Christmas.” He’s also grateful for a chance to listen to other groups and visit with old friends.
Sunday’s performers will be, in order, Beth McBride, E-Side Rhythm Blues Combo, Polly O’Keary, In the House, Maia Santell & House Blend, the Randy Oxford Band and the Chester Dennis Jones Band.
“Polly is one of my favorite vocalists out there,” Oxford said, “and a great entertainer. She’s all over the stage and really grabs the audience. And Chester was in my band. He wasn’t into branching out into the different styles we’re doing. Straight-ahead blues is what he wants to do and where his heart is.”
Speaking of heart, Friends of the Holidays, now in its ninth year, is a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meals to low-income Pierce County families during the December holiday season. The recommended donation on Sunday will be $10 or more, and you can learn more about the organization at www.friendsoftheholidays.org. - Tacoma News Tribune
Discography
"Memphis to Motown" is The Randy Oxford Band's newsest release and features a variety of American music - blues, Motown, funk, gospel, and a touch of jazz. The CD is available at shows, on iTunes, at CD Baby, and from randyoxford.com.
"All The Buzz," the Randy Oxford Band's first CD, was released by Della Records in 2004. Winner of "Best CD" awards from the Washington Blues Society and the Inland Empire Blues Association, the only CD to have honored state-wide. Tracks played on the radio include "Bumblebee" and "Hard Way to Go." "All the Buzz" is available at CD Baby and from randyoxford.com.
"Comin' Home" was recorded in 2005 at the Winthrop Rythmn and Blues Festival and includes several tunes the band had never recorded before, including the popular "Candy Store." Fans of the band were pleased with the inprovisational nature of the solos, something live audiences have always appreciated and the band itself has always enjoyed.
As a bonus, two previously unreleased studio tracks from the "All the Buzz" sessions were included. Available on CD Baby only.
Photos
Bio
The Randy Oxford Band consists of 6 veteran musicians, each bringing a unique background and talent to the band. Randy Oxford - trombonist, “Blues Performer of the Year,” and notorious wild man- has been honored more than 25 times since returning to his home state of Washington several years ago, following a European Tour of duty with the U.S. Army band. He has won multiple Best Horn awards, Entertainer of the Year, Keeping the Blues Alive, and induction into the Washington Blues Society's Hall of Fame.
Randy plays the trombone as a lead instrument, inventing a path through the chord progressions, sometimes mimicing the guitars around him, sometimes taking them with him on one of his wild rides. His tone has been admired by symphony conductors, but he also knows how to rip a sound or turn it into an animal call. Randy has become a Northwest favorite, hosting popular invitational jams at various venues in the area, as well as leading his own very successful band.
The Randy Oxford Band is blessed with five outstanding vocalists, each bringing his/her own special style to make this band's repertoire as varied and interesting as the members themselves. Patti Allen is the featured vocalist, a blues veteran who has been recognized by the Washington Blues Society as Entertainer of the Year, Best Female Vocalist, and Hall of Famer. Her vocals are soulful, gritty, and full of energy in the classic, Chicago Blues style.
Dominique Stone, whose bass style adds an element of funk to the rhythm section, has a smooth, satiny voice and a playful nature that often results in spontaneous dance moves and stage antics that infect the rest of the band. Riky Hudson, on drums, adds vocals that generally rest in the baritone range, although he provides the high end of the harmonies. He specializes in drawing the audience into his songs, i.e. "All right, boys and girls - it's sing-along time!"
Rafael Tranquilino hails from Mexico City and sings "straight ahead" blues - in Spanish! He's rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the hottest young guitar slingers around. Brian Feist, the newest member of the band, is known for his thoughtful, intricate guitar style and smooth, soulful voice.
The two guitarists back each other during solos and, with the addition of Randy's killer trombone, help give the band it's characteristic big, rich sound. In addition, the interplay between the performers - both musically and visually - provides the audience with something entertaining to watch, as well as to hear.
Photo credits: Ricki Peto, Jeff DeWolfe, Sean Cummings
Links
