I don't recall exactly what year I first saw Billy Price in a club appearance, but it had to be close to 50 years ago. He was on a double bill with Bob Margolin, who had left the Muddy Waters band by that time.

Being more of a young blues neophyte at the time, I was more familiar with the Chicago blues that Margolin was playing. The blending of blues and soul was something that I hadn't often heard, but I was certainly intrigued by the smooth, rich vocals of the young Price.

I tell this story to let you know just how long this man has been singing this style of music, and he still sounds great on Random Madness (Get Hip Recordings). Price and producer Tony Braunagel had teamed up on the previous album, Person Of Interest.

Tthis time they took it back to Price's roots, recording the album at The Vault recording studio in his hometown of Pittsburgh. The album was released on Pittsburgh-based Get Hip Recordings, which was a new name to me.

Another old-school move was to include several longtime Billy Price band mates in the recording, including Jim Britton (keyboards), Tom Valentine (bass), Dave Dodd (drums), Joe Herndon (trumpet), and Eric Spaulding (sax). Combine all of these Pittsburgh connections, and I can't help but be reminded of those 1970s and 1980s recordings of what was then known as Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band.

If they had only recorded an updated version of "Eldorado Cafe," arguably Price's best-known song from that earlier era, it would have completed my memories of the man's early career.

But enough reminiscing. Let's get into the very fine Random Madness. All songs were co-written by Price and Braunagel, and the tight arrangements throughout are a testament to the latter's production.

Starting the show is the up-tempo, catchy blues, "I Was A Fool," with nice vocal backing by the BGVs. Man, this one is already taking me back, I love it! The beat gets funky on the soulful, bluesy "I Got That Dog In Me," with a confident and aggressive sound coming from Price and the backing singers continually repeating the title after each of Price's vocal lines.

"Hungry Ghost" is a mid-tempo cut with a feel of mystery as Price sings about a failed relationship and what went wrong, with the horns coming in during the vocal breaks. We also hear a snaky guitar solo from one of Ian Arthurs or Steve Delach.

Plenty of funky guitar tricks dominate the mid-tempo "I Said What I Said," continuing the theme of trying to get a handle on a broken relationship. The BGVs are back to add oomph to the message in Price's lyrics. "Curiosity" is a fine example of Price's ability a lot of soul into this vocals, with the horns accentuating each line. When our singer takes a little break, Spaulding and Herndon provide tasty instrumental breaks, and I especially dig Herndon's trumpet playing.

"Rent Free" opens with an ol' timey ragtime vibe, with Price singing that though the relationship is over, the once special person is living rent free in his mind. Price pumps a little more power and emotion into his vocals, and guest trombonist Reggie Watkins comes in with a very appropriately strong solo.

Perhaps the best cut is "Creature of Habit," an up-tempo jazzy thing with Britton putting down a persistent walking blues line. Price sings that just like a hamster on a treadmill, he's got bad habits that never go away. We also hear a very nice jazzy guitar solo.

By now it's obvious that Price has a plan for every unsuccessful relationship, advising that everyone needs an "Exit Strategy," a mid-tempo blues that gives the horns a big role. The blues sound slows down on "Dirty Knee Revelations," as Price tells what he's learned in life and how these revelations help to set him free.

The tempo and vibe turn jazzy with just a touch of island melody on "Stickers On My Suitcase," as Price confirms that those stickers confirm that he's been around and seen a lot, but that perhaps he's ready to change his way of living to include that special someone. Another nice blues guitar solo help to make this song another gem!

We close with the title cut, "Random Madness," a slow, late night blues that Price sings with sadness about who will be the chosen one to the madness found way too often in our society. Trumpet great Sean Jones pops into the studio to help out on this number with some very impressive horn accompaniment.

Random Madness is a fantastic album that is high recommended by this longtime Billy Price fan. If you don't have the same vivid memories of past albums and live shows, the music on Random Madness will set you on that road.

--- Bill Mitchell