The Reviews

Dave Keyes
“Covered in Blue”
Keyes land Music
available at cdpimp.com

by Bob Putignano

It’s great to see another fine album from one of New York’s finest, and regular good guy, Dave Keyes. Thirteen of the fourteen titles included were either written or co-authored by Dave.

This CD opens in a good time mood with the steady groovin ’“Pass It On Down” which features nice slide and guitar work from Jon Specter& Jeff Pevar. You can swing &jump with, “Come With Me Baby”, and it’s good to see old Keyes cohort/Elephant’s Memory sax man Stan Bronstein who is back on board for this track only, trading hot horn licks with Chris Eminizer. It’s NYC/Chinatown fun on, “Get It To go” with hilarious lyrics, and New York’s own David Johansen on harmonica too! The title track, builds to a nice crescendo on “Covered In Blue”. Get on down with Keith Lambeth’s in-sync bass-work with Keyes, on “Lay Down Sweet Mary” which also offers really tight horn charts. Dance the second line down to the Crescent City on “Pookie Po Po”. Its just Dave, and guitarist J. Pevar playing acoustically, on the soulful and wonderful, “Signed With Heartache”. The late night, smoky Tobacco Road sounding, “Tomorrow Will Be Mine” features a great sax solo from Mr. Eminizer, and a absolute “bring down the house” guitar solo from Jon Specter which closes the song. Southern rock fans will enjoy Dave’s, “Mystery Train” with more hot guitar licks from Jeff Pevar. Dave adds his personal signature by closing the CD solo, on the albums only non-authored Dave Keyes track. The heartfelt “Pouring Water On A Drowning Man”, really shows off Dave’s vocal prowess and superb keyboard work. A gorgeous ending!

This is one fine recording! Dave Keyes and company cover many styles without losing “The Dave Keyes and Band” identity throughout! I have been enjoying watching the constant growth artistically for Dave, as it could not happen to a better human being. The fabulous horn arrangements, and the over the top performances are further examples of Dave’s evolution as a very serious performer who can also show you a great time..

This CD is welcome and recommended listening! Do yourself a favor by checking out Dave the next time he is playing in your area, since the Dave Keyes Band is one heck of a live performing unit!

Enjoy it!