(4 / 5)
“Back In Boston Live” is the latest album – solo record # 12 and he is on a slew of other artist’s releases (circa 75) – from the celebrated US keyboardist Bruce Katz and his ace band.
For this record, Bruce returned to his former hometown of Boston, where his career began where he played with Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Mighty Sam McClain and a whole scene of Boston musicians. Bruce also taught at Berklee School of Music for 14 years as an Associate Professor.
Recorded over two nights at The Fallout Shelter, this 11-track album offers nine original tunes and two classic covers. The material straddles a broad church of styles; from blues, soul-jazz, New Orleans r&b and Jam-influenced music.
Bruce says: “We are very excited about a new “live” album we recently recorded over two nights in Boston, which was my home for thirty years. It was recorded at the very cool venue The Fallout Shelter in front of about 100 people each night. Many old friends from ‘Beantown’ stopped by which made it all that more special for me.
“The album is a mixture of everything we play out on the road…some old favourites, new things and some tunes that we have already recorded, but with the twists and surprises that only happen live and in person.
“We also recorded an extended version of the Allman Brothers classic, ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, written by Dickey Betts, that really goes some places. There is a lot of energy and freshness in this album – we are really happy with it and hope that you will be to.”
Bruce is in his element here across the 11 cuts, on piano, some phenomenal Hammond organ skills and he plays bass on the organ’s foot pedals. Joined by Aaron Lieberman on guitars and vocals, Liviu Pop on drums and Jesse Williams on bass. Produced by Bruce and Legare Robertson.
Bruce was a member of Gregg Allman’s band for six years from 2007, he also played with other Allman Brothers’ alumni including Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band, and Bruce toured with the Allman Brothers on occasions too.
Bruce has been nominated many times for a coveted Blues Music Award – the blues equivalent of a Grammy – and he won the BMA for ‘Acoustic Blues Album of the Year’ in 2019 for his collaboration with Joe Louis Walker and the UK’s Giles Robson, for their Alligator Records album, “Journeys to the Heart of the Blues”.
Bruce played with the legendary Big Mama Thornton on her East Coast tours, and this experience revived his desire to play Blues Music as a primary focus. Formerly from Boston, Bruce has been based in Woodstock, NY since 2005.
By Christopher Weston
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’ (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
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