Namedroppers offer up another fun album built on the solid foundation of blues, old school R&B, and oldies rock and roll from the late 1950s to early 1960s. Putting their own personal stamp on those idioms has, as always, resulted in an album loaded with vibrant songs that allure, entertain, and keep the listener coming back for more. On their new Cool Blue Shoes album, Connecticut’s Namedroppers take it an even higher level this time around.
Opening cut “Killing Floor” turns the old Howlin’ Wolf blues song into an R&B number. It’s danceable groove will keep the feet moving quickly. Spirited keyboard tinkling keep things bouncy while a twitching lead guitar gives up plenty of rhythmic spikes. Rake Klein’s cool voice completes the fun and the success of this song, dashing off the vocal parts, with perfect timing, in the open spaces.
Title track “Cool Blue Shoes,” written by Namedroppers drummer Bobby T Torello, kicks into gear with the songwriter’s drum fills forming a quick motion the band rides on. Riding it with a thick wedge of guitar, bass, and keyboards, the melody and low end spank out a lot of action.
Vocalist Ron Rifkin pumps plenty of cool into “Be Alright” with his considerately paced rasp. Guest vocalist Simone Brown joins the action to give it all a Sly And The Family Stone feel with understated smoothness. The rhythm section gives it an almost marching feel by controlling the pace, giving a slight pause between each beat. Funky electric piano from Rifkin injects a lot of juicy fun in between the vocal and an edgy climb from Rafe Klein’s electric guitar.
“Keep Pushin’” rocks out with slapping acoustic guitar chords creating a rhythmic pattern for the keyboards to smolder over, a lead guitar to rock back and forth to, and a rhythm section to seesaw with driving momentum. The tightness of all the players keeps the song stronger than the sum of all its parts. Everything works because everyone is keeping his instrument and vocal in just the right place to keep this together and filled with exciting motion.
“That’s The Way My Love Is,” a mid-tempo joy ride, cruises like an old R&B ballad. Soulful vocals explaining the song’s meaning alongside an invasive, emotive lead guitar keep this one in a sensitive place. A swirling organ layers it in another cocoon of emotion. The whole affair finds its wheels in a rollicking rhythm section, a pushy patter that motivates the feet while giving it a fun nudge forward.
Harmony vocals and old school R&B piano on “Hard Way” give Rafe Klein’s lead vocal a perfect platform to gradually unravel his cool. With Klein’s vocal surrounded by choir-like harmonies and soulful organ, he finds a good home to emote his street wise experiences. Vigorous lead guitar phrasing and a speedy rhythm section add excitement around the inner funk feel vibe.
An action packed version of Willie Dixon’s “I Cry For You” finds Klein and Rifkin tearing into it with hearty effort, soulful rasp, and driving determination. It’s more danceable than the original blues version, and keeping things in a smooth motion drive is one of this band’s specialties. Klein’s guitar speeds through a twisty phrase with colorful splashes from Rifkin’s organ keeping things real.
Torello’s quirky “Think Yiddish” uses a rock and roll stomp to punctuate lyrical gripes with American and foreign styles and a fun chorus to offer his solution. A Yiddish melody played on an organ increases the fun, quirky nature of this song. Other Namedroppers idioms, like a jumpy electric guitar chord progression and a flinty organ line, keep this feisty.
Possessing an oldies rock and roll feel, “Yes, I Will” uses a considerate lead vocal surrounded by an old school harmony chorus. This keeps the listener rooted in that late 1950s/early 1960s American rock vibe. There’s plenty of drum fills, a rumbling Scott Spray bass guitar line, an organ shuffle, and an icy cool lead guitar phrase that keeps this song pointy and sharp, edgy.
A celebratory feel from guest musician Bill Holloman’s saxophone work inspires the listener during close out track “Out Of This Blue.” That horn has a wide, proud swagger that makes the song exuberant, larger than life. Rafe Klein’s vocal persona fills in a lot of the space too, and Simone Brown injects a sweet underside to the vocal texture, making for a heavenly call and response. Of course the rhythm section keeps it classy with well placed fills and low end notes. Rifkin, too, expands the feeling with his flinty organ work. This is a magnificent farewell for now song to complete this album.
Namedroppers have done it again. They’ve whipped together blues, R&B, and oldies rock and roll idioms to create an album of songs that feel at once fresh and yet rooted in American music history. Namedroppers also keep getting better and better as this Cool Blue Shoes album, produced by the venerable Vic Steffens, has an even wider, more encompassing, more personal vibe and sound than their previous studio successes.
