CADILLAC SCOTT

AND

THE SNAKEHANDLERS

2011 IBC NOMINEE BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD

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Album Reviews: Rock Plus Roll

LATEST Review just in:

The Snakehandlers

Rock Plus Roll

Reviewed by Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion

With plenty of references to women with long legs, The Snakehandlers Blues Band embraces the raunchiness inherent in the blues, pushing the sexual innuendo and tension to the forefront. When it comes to overall sound, The Allman Brothers Band comes to mind the most over the course of the Snakehandlers’ album Rock Plus Roll, but there are plenty of others that also show their influence here and there, like George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The genius of Rock Plus Roll is that it makes the blues incredibly fun to listen to, with a lot of variety, suggestive lyrics, and great playing.

Track 1: “Bad Girls” has an amazing blues-rock groove that matches the raunchiness and fun of the lyrics: “If it weren’t for bad girls, I’d have me no good times.”

Track 2: “Ain’t Stayin’ the Night” has a very memorable refrain (“I don’t know where you’re going but you’re sure ain’t stayin’ the night”) and awesome slide guitar work reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band.

Track 5: “Long-legged Woman” is a real gem that prominently features spectacular harmonica playing by Scott Parkhurst. Parkhurst also takes over the vocal duties on “Long-legged Woman,” lending a George Thorogood-like quality to the band’s sound.

Track 9: “Face Down & Fallin’” is a slow, emotional song that thrusts listeners headlong into what it feels like to be as blue as it gets. Past gems such as Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Tin Pan Alley,” Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and Derek and the Dominos’ “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” come to mind during this fantastic song.

Track 11: “90 Miles an Hour” is a compelling and cautionary tale about what cocaine use can do to ruin a life that’s going really well: “Had a high powered job that could handle the load/90 miles an hour, down the cocaine road.”

Reviewed by Eric Mack at Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion.

Rootstime (Belgium)

If you feel like it placed in what is good, sturdy roadhouse blues, genre Fabulous Thunderbirds or Nighthawks, then you're at the Snakehandlers Blues band to the right place. Frank Dean, guitarist/vocalist and together with Carl Lo Sasso the driving force behind this band, was previously in bands such as Blue Deville and Sindacato and now has the Snakehandlers so to hear his turn only really found, the music they make calls straight away the atmosphere of biker-bars full of rugged guys with their women, drinks and cigarettes

"Ain't Staying The Night" the second track on the cd, combines the elements of two of my favorite bands, Little Feat and the Allman Brothers (at the time of Lowell and Duane still) and conquer this immediately a place in my "Favorites" playlist of my mp3 player. Furthermore we find a multitude of styles on this debut, within the blues and rock idiom true, from slow blues rhythm & blues to pure rock numbers. This fact, together with the varying vocalists (about every Member of the group is blessed with a first-rate voice) and the fact that everyone also gets his moment to moment in the limelight to Act means that we have to deal with an extremely varied release that fascinates from beginning to end.

Scott Parhurst, harmonica player and just about the strongest voice of the gang, shines on "My Cadillac" a song that my did recall the heydays of The Nighthawks with Jimmy Thackery (in terms of voice) and Mark Wenner (similar harp sound). We like to give a special mention to Clint Crabb who with his delicious slide ensures the proverbial icing on the cake in some tracks. Clint is as has been said, clearly audible a Duane Allman/Derek Trucks follower.

The combination of that oily harmonica sound and that guitar sounds the Snakehandler Blues Band really as it should, this is the ideal blues and R & B for festivals and bars. We will for the time being to do with the volume knob all the way to maximum ... until someone gets this Snakehandlers to here?

(RON)

www.rootstime.be

Blues Underground Network Review

ROCK PLUS ROLL 4-14-11

When it comes to the Blues and Blues/Rock, for that matter, The Snakehandlers Blues Band sure know how to add it all up, something which becomes apparent right out of the starting gate on their hot Debut Release, "Rock Plus Roll".

The Snakehandlers Blues Band is the brainchild of Carl Lo Sasso, Frank Dean, two former band mates on a previous project, Sindacato. Both were on a bit of a break when they decided that the creative juices were now back at a level where they felt it was time to start getting really serious about their music again, thus Carl and Frank started the recruitment process that would be the lineup for this Album. First on the list was Bob Schneider (Keyboards/Vocals) whom brought along Floyd Tucker (Bass) with him. next up on the wish list was Cadillac Scott Parkhurst (Harmonica/Vocals), whom "after years of prodding by Dean, put his X on the dotted line". The final piece of the puzzle fit in place with the addition of Clint Crabb (Electric/Acoustic/Slide Guitars). Together with Carl Lo Sasso (Drums/Percussion/Vocals) and Frank Dean (Electric/Acoustic Guitars/Mandolin/Vocals) the The Snakehandlers Blues Band was born.

"Rock Plus Roll" consists of 11 Tracks and really was a group effort as far as the writing of the music was concerned, with 4 of the band members pitching in on the writing duties. The majority of the songs were written by Frank Dean with Carl Lo Sasso co-writing one, Bob Schneider writing one,and Cadillac Scott Parkhurst writing two. There are no Covers on "Rock Plus Roll", just Originals, which is a bit of a gutsy move for a Debut Album, but one that The Snakehandlers Blues Band, felt they could pull off, and let me tell you they certainly did.

One of the main criteria's that Frank Dean had when putting together the band was that there would be "no "Steve Vai" types in the band playing over the vocals", everyone was going to be allowed to shine especially the vocalists. That is probably one of the first things I noticed when I started listening to "Rock Plus Roll", it really sounded like a tight cohesive band with no show boating, everyone equal, everyone allowed their time in the spotlight, but always with the concern for the music, front and center.

"Rock Plus Roll" has a lot of fine styles on it, from straight ahead Blues/Rock, to nicely done R&B, to Down and Dirty Blues, all played exceptionally well performed, courtesy of this superbly grounded band. You will also find the group effort approach throughout "Rock Plus Roll", with different Vocalists and Musicians in the band taking their turn at really impressing us all. That allows for a lot of diversity to their music and makes for a very interesting and enjoyable listen.

As far as picking a few favorites off of "Rock Plus Roll", which was not an easy task because of all the really well written and performed tracks, I would have to say "Bad Girls" which is the opening Track and "Ninety Miles An Hour" which was the closing track got my attention a bit more than the others.

The Snakehandlers Blues Band really done their homework when putting together this band and "Rock Plus Roll" is about as fine of a example of that as one could expect from a Debut Album.

If "Rock Plus Roll", is what The Snakehandlers Blues Band is going to continue to sound like in the future, then I really can't wait to hear their next Album. Highly Rceommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed...

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/The_Snakehandlers_Blues_Band_CD.html

NUVO

Review: Snakehandlers "Rock plus Roll"

by Marc D. Allan

Frank Dean knows what he's doing. His past bands — Blue DeVille and Sindacato — thrived by mining and updating the roots of American music. This time out, he attacks the blues, and he's got another winner in the Snakehandlers.

Their debut, the perfectly titled Rock plus Roll, leaves you feeling like you stumbled into a roadside bar and discovered an authentic, gritty blues band. You can taste the beer, smell the cigarettes, picture the packed dance floor.

These 11 songs all will sound somewhat familiar — such is the nature of blues riffs — but each one is marked by something distinguishing: Clint Crabb's sweet, smooth slide guitar;

Bob Schneider

's rolling organ and rollicking piano; Scott Parkhurst's howling harmonica; growled vocals by multiple band members. (Drummer Carl Lo Sasso, bassist

Floyd Tucker

and guitarist Dean complete the lineup.)

"Ain't Stayin' the Night," about a woman who cheats, sounds like what would have happened if Lowell George-era Little Feat and Eat a Peach-period Allman Brothers wrote a song together. "V-Twin Woman" brings to mind an old-timey version of "Crossroads"; listen to the tambourine and cymbal crash, which really enhance the sound.

Some songs weep (the best of them is "Face Down and Fallin'"), but most rock — especially the raucous "Daddy's Little Angel" and "My Cadillac," which has exactly the call-and-response chorus you'd want and expect.

Most of the lyrics here tread the usual ground of women, cars and misery. But there are some nifty twists. "Slip Into the Leather" adds a little S&M suggestiveness. "90 Miles an Hour" takes on the Madoffs, DeLays and other swindlers who've become public enemies over the past decade or so. And "Your drawers are all empty and clean/'cept the ones you got on," from "Ain't Stayin' the Night," is such a nice line.

Bottom line: Rock plus Roll is a fresh, thoroughly entertaining disc.

Celebrated Sounds: Snakehandlers' CD is a roadhouse fantasy

9:02 AM, Jan. 20, 2011 |

Comments

The Snakehandlers Blues Band's new CD, "Rock Plus Roll," is a roadhouse dream album with bad girls at every table and motorcycles parked outside. Band members include Bob Schneider (from left), Floyd Tucker, Clint Crabb, Scott Parkhurst, Carl LaSasso and Frank Dean. / DANESE KENON / The Star

Written by

David Lindquist

Indiana album review

The Snakehandlers Blues Band

"Rock Plus Roll"

www.thesnakehandlers.com

» In a nutshell: The soundtrack for a roadhouse fantasy, where bad girls are stationed at every table and motorcycles are lined up outside.

» Fan finder: Songwriter Frank Dean assembled the Snakehandlers for people who appreciate muscular blues and also want to dance. If Howlin' Wolf, the Allman Brothers Band and Fabulous Thunderbirds reside in your record collection, make room for "Rock Plus Roll."

» That's a keeper: Scott Parkhurst provides larger-than-life vocals and harmonica riffs on "Ain't Stayin' the Night." Fed up with a lover's disloyalty, the narrator doesn't buy her pledge to repent: "You got your hand on the Bible, swear you've seen the light. I don't know where you're going, but you sure ain't stayin' the night."

» Didn't see it coming: Dominatrix-themed tunes rarely arrive at my desk, but "Slip Into the Leather" is just such a song. Keyboard player Bob Schneider, guitarist Clint Crabb and harmonica ace Parkhurst deliver cruel-to-be-kind solos.

» Selling points: The gruff-voiced tandem of Schneider and Parkhurst has what it takes to sing about cars, women and motorcycles that serve as metaphors for women. Schneider embraces the misery of a ballad titled "Face Down and Fallin'," while Dean takes a welcome vocal turn on anti-corruption tale "90 Miles an Hour."

BluesBlast Magazine

Featured Blues Review 1 of 5

The Snakehandlers Blues Band - Rock plus Roll

Self Release

www.thesnakehandlers.com

11 songs; 42:56 minutes; Splendid

Styles: “Blues Fueled Rock and Roll” and Blues

I’m in the mood for some fun. No, I mean a damn good time. I want to see The Snakehandlers Blues Band live, and not in a concert setting where everyone is sitting politely in nice straight rows. I want to hear them in a rowdy, crowded Midwestern venue where you have to rub against people just to get to the bar. It’ll be a friendly people, get drunk, stomp the floor, dance your shoes off, puke out the car’s back window on the way home good time.

Based in Central Indiana, The Snakehandlers Blues Band is a slice of America. Start with their name, “Snakehandlers.” For me, it conjures unbelievable stories ofTennessee fundamentalists. Then check their song titles: “My Cadillac,” “Slip into the Leather,” “Bad Girls,” “Long-Legged Woman,” and “90 Miles an Hour” –Americana, right? Finally, the themes are the essence of many American Blues songs: cars, women, kinky fantasy, misery, plus, on this debut recording, immoral, rich fat-cats getting their come-uppance (Madoff, et al).

With “Rock plus Roll,” one gets eleven original songs from six musicians with a mountain of experience and an undying love and appreciation for Rhythm, Blues, and Rock and Roll. Songwriter and guitarist Frank Dean and drummer Carl Lo Sasso, both formerly of Sindacato, were the main Snakehandlers’ organizers. Dean brought along Floyd Tucker on bass while Lo Sasso recruited Bob Schneider on keyboards. Cadillac Scott Parkhurst was enlisted for harmonica, and Clint Crabb came on board for Duane Allman / Derek Trucks style slide guitar. Vocals are traded between all but Crabb, and song writing is credited to mainly Dean plus Parkhurst, Schneider, and Lo Sasso.

The opening song, “Bad Girls,” immediately introduces the listener to what the Snakehandlers are all about. The music explodes from the full band with honking harp in the lead. Then the lyrics, this Bad Girl “... screamed just like a banshee / And bit like a borrowed mule / She taught me things I never learned / In any kind of school. ... if it weren’t for bad girls / I’d have me no good times.”

Scott Parkhurst provides harmonica and growled, Tom Waits style vocals on “Ain't Stayin' the Night.” The narrator tells an unfaithful lover that her promises to change are falling on deaf ears: “You got your hand on the Bible, swear you've seen the light. I don't know where you're going, but you sure ain't stayin' the night.” Crabb takes a tasty slide guitar solo at the end.

A slow Blues is my favorite track, “Face Down and Fallin.’” From palpalable misery in the singer’s voice to weeping harp to killer slide guitar, this song will put a tear in your beer.

Ready to Rock? Try the ruckus “Daddy's Little Angel” with guest Gary Woodworth on saxophone. “My Cadillac” is so good one wonders if Parkhurst is on commission from GM. With its call-and-response chorus, the song is American as apple pie and baseball.

In summary: a jealous woman once asked her wandering boyfriend, “What does this other woman have that I don’t have?” His answer, “Nothing, just more of it!” That thinking applies to this Snakehandlers Blues Band CD; you won’t hear anything that other bands don’t have, just roadhouse music with more fervor and gusto.

Reviewer James "Skyy Dobro" Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and longtime Blues Blast Magazine contributor. His weekly radio show "Friends of the Blues" can be heard Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM and at www.wkccradio.org in Kankakee, IL. James “Skyy Dobro” Walker

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