Deanna Bogart
Pianoland
Blind Pig Records
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It’s a nice fall day here in Colorado and I’m
finding this to be a rare morning of opportunity.
What better way to start the day then to have the
fireplace burning and a copy of Deanna Bogart’s
Pianoland playing on the stereo? What’s
unique is that this disc is a piano only release by
Deanna, there’s not an ounce of saxophone performing
on it anywhere. I’ve always thought that D was an
underappreciated piano player and now that I’ve
heard this disc, I would have to agree with Tommy
Castro’s recent prognostication on Blues Cruise #19,
”it’s time for Deanna Bogart to win a Blues Music
Award for her piano playing!” Now let’s see if I can
do a good job explaining why, time to hit play.
Deanna opens with “In the Rain,” a tune about the
ups and downs of existence but always knowing that
at the end is something worthwhile. “I don't know
what's in store…but like love washed ashore…a pearl
will still remain…in the rain!” Deanna is back by
her usual stellar cast of characters, Mike Aubin on
drums, Scott Ambush on bass, Dan Leonard on guitar
and Jeff Reed makes an occasional appearance on the
upright bass. Deanna has played with this supporting
cast for a long time now and their tightness as a
band really shows. D’s musings on life continue in
“On And On And.” “Maybe it’s the world…maybe it’s
just me…maybe it’s just the way things are supposed
to be.” I’ve always known Deanna to have an
inquisitive view of the world and this tune is
another example of that. What follows next is an
instrumental, “Boogie Woogie Boogie,” composed by
Earl Garner is up next and Deanna leads the way with
some very inspired work on the keys.
Up next is “Couldn’t Love You More” and here we
find Deanna sharing her love and heart with another,
showing her support in the hard times. “What it
takes to heal the breaks…is worth a love that’s
true…I just know when your heart aches…that mine
does too!” “Where the Well Never Runs Dry” is
probably my favorite tune on Pianoland and
it's Deanna’s comment on the power of perseverance.
“I’ve always believed that whatever I need…is
somewhere here inside…but lately I don’t have
enough…or is it just that I…gotta go deeper where
the well never runs dry?” Exploring our limits is
part of the human condition and everyone will be
surprised at just how deep their own well runs! I’m
happy to hear Jeff Reed’s upright bass in Deanna’s
take on out next tune, the Willie Dixon classic, “I
Love the Life I Live.” “Just please forgive me…if
you will…I live the life I love…and love the life I
live.
Deanna has the throttle wide open on our next
instrumental, “Death Ray Boogie,” before segueing
into a classic tune from the Wizard of Oz, “Over the
Rainbow.” Those of us old enough to remember the
original by Judy Garland will appreciate Deanna’s
take on the song she made famous. “Somewhere over
the rainbow….bluebirds fly…birds fly…over the
rainbow…tell me why or why….can’t I?” You can
Deanna, you definitely can.
Up next is the title cut, “Pianoland.” And
Pianoland appears to be Deanna’s refuge from the
world, a place where she’s safe and sound. “Ooooh…wanna
come with me…to my island in the sea…when it all
gets turned around…and I need to leave the
ground…I’m safe and sound…in Pianoland!”
Pianoland closes with another amazing
instrumental, “Blues at 11,” and the James Taylor
tune, “Close Your Eyes.” In my mind’s eye I can see
Deanna at the piano in her music room at home, late
at night, working out the chord progressions for
“Blues at 11” and not going to bed until she’s
finished. The same attention to detail serves her
well in “Close Your Eyes.” “So close your eyes…you
can close your eyes…it’s alright…and I don’t know no
love songs…and I can’t sing the blues anymore…but I
can sing this song…and you can sing the song…when
I’m gone.” Fortunately for all of us, we’ll have
Deanna and her band around for a long, long time to
come.
Pianoland marks Deanna’s return to Blind
Pig Records and you can grab a copy of this
wonderful disc from Deanna on her website,
www.deannabogart.com,
or the Blind Pig site at
www.blindpigrecords.com. And when the
nominations for the BMAs come out, if Deanna’s name
is amongst those nominated for the Pinetop Perkins
Piano Player of the Year Award…give this disc a
listen and then vote your conscience…let’s see if
Tommy Castro is a true teller of fortunes!
--- Kyle Deibler