The Jeff Jolly Band plays an eclectic and inventive mix of styles that includes rock, roots, country, Americana and R&B, all written by Jolly (except “Trip Through Your Wire,” U2). That originality is what makes Jeff Jolly’s Pizza well worth listening to. It communicates Jolly’s enjoyment writing it and the band’s pleasure in playing it; so it follows that we find it gratifying to hear. The compositions cover a range of observations about the human condition, but even when the topics are somber, the joy of the music prevails. It seems as though we are being performed for rather than just being presented with a collection of recorded songs...MORE
Hamilton Loomis’ association with Bo Diddley has certainly been a promotional boon to his career, and while he often honors Diddley in performances and recordings, he is not an imitator. In addition to the overt homage, “Who Do You Love Medley,” during which he plays a signed Bo Diddley box guitar, Loomis incorporates Diddley’s signature beat into several songs (“Best Worst Day,” “Get My Blues On,” “Turnin’ Heads”). But, don’t expect a Diddley clone when you listen to Loomis’ modernized blues/rock/funk mix. Unlike the static harmony and rhythm often used by Diddley, Loomis employs richer, modulating harmonies, catchy, chromatic bluesy riffs and a complex rhythmic structure...MORE
