Raisin' a Ruckus *

Rating

Album: Raisin' a Ruckus *
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Every Dog Has Its Day
2)	Lower on Your List of Priorities
3)	Talkin' to You Eye to Eye
4)	Big Mamou
5)	Round It Down
6)	I Would Be a Sinner
7)	Black Night
8)	Boogie Woogie Country Girl
9)	Solid Jam
10)	Sweet Petite
11)	While I Can
12)	Raisin' a Ruckus
13)	New Orleans
14)	Life Has Been Good

Performer Notes

Roomful of Blues: Dave Howard (vocals, harmonica); Dimitry Gorodetsky (upright bass, electric bass); Ephraim Lowell (drums); Chris Vachon, Rich Lataille, Mark Earley , Bob Enos, Travis Colby.
Personnel: Dave Howard & the High Rollers (vocals, harmonica); Bethie Vachon (vocals); Chris Vachon (guitar); Rich Lataille (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Mark Earley (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Bob Enos (trumpet); Travis Colby (piano, organ).
Additional personnel: Bethie Vachon.
Audio Mixer: Chris Vachon.
Recording information: Sonalysts Studios, Waterford, CT.
The hard-edged, horn-fueled R&B band Roomful of Blues has been going strong since the 1960s, building its reputation with electrifying live shows and an irresistible blend of blues, swing, rock, and soul. RAISIN' A RUCKUS (2008)shows the group has lost none of its punch. New lead singer Dave Howard brings his gruff, growling pipes to the Roomful's brass-tacks charge, and the rhythm section, horns, and lead instruments have never sounded better. With a sound that nods to the jump blues of yesteryear, but with steely contemporary edge, RAISIN' A RUCKUS does precisely what its title suggests. Get your dancing shoes and head for the floor.

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Updating vintage numbers, the Cajun r&b anthem 'Big Mamou' among others, remains a band strong point. Roomful is still in a class by itself."

Dirty Linen (p.42) - "'Black Night' showcases Roomful' ability to grind down on a sizzling slow blues, and guitarist Chris Vachon's solos take the song to the next level."

Dirty Linen (p.77) - "With 50, alumni, Roomful of Blues is all about the skilled artists who uphold the tradition and reputation of the name. RAISIN' A RUCKUS carries on."