Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars Fifty Shades of Blue Delta Groove Records

Geraci’s exquisite piano work has been spotlighted in the past with Sugar Ray & The Bluenotes and with Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters. As impressive as those gigs were, nothing prepared me for this album from Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars.

Fifty Shades of Blue (Delta Groove) is just an amazing disc. That he has employed the likes of Sugar Ray Norcia, Darrell Nulisch, Toni Lynn Washington, and the criminally under-heard Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson points to the esteem in which he is held by vocalists. One imagines that they were clamoring to get on this date. Even though the billing is Boston, there’s a lot of Rhode Island going on here. Either way, must be something in the water.

To a person, they’re enormously talented and steeped in straight ahead and swing-based blues. On the opening "Everything I Do Is Wrong," Nulisch vocalizes, Monster Mike Welch plays beautiful guitar, Marty Richards catapults with his drums, Mudcat Ward anchors it on bass, and Geraci comps brilliantly. The following take on the title number is the standout cut on the disc. Norcia and Willson trade licks and Geraci tears it up on the piano, rocking and swinging.

"Heard That Tutwiler Whistle Blow," with Norcia on lead vocals, tells the story of getting away from the dangerous South to the promise of Mr. Ford’s Detroit. Norcia’s harp is full and sensual. The vocalists bring excitement to the disc, no question.

The two instrumentals give Geraci room to stretch out. "Blues For David Maxwell" pays tribute to the piano great who passed earlier this year. The addition of a Native American flute from Norcia gives it an airy quality. Geraci plays fat chords and beautiful single note runs. Gorgeous. On "In The Quicksand Again," he trades licks with Welch on a medium tempo jam that impresses.

This is one of the most enjoyable recordings of the year.

--- Mark E. Gallo