Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind
Jason Ricci is the embodiment of what blues historian, record producer, and music journalist, Dick Shurman describes as “allowing the blues to change and grow.” His eclectic approach to harmonica would have impressed Little Walter and would make him grin from heaven to see blues developed to new heights. You feel drawn to his awe inspiring blues brand. What makes him stand out is his expansive vocabulary tones and re-defined notes.
Perhaps it is fitting as it seemed like he is a magician on the harmonica. His one-of-a-kind designed harmonica case sat on top of an artfully designed table cloth reminiscent of a magician’s magic hat on a tablecloth decorated with alchemy symbols.
Ricci’s songwriting ideas are just as extraordinary. A good starting point is “Sleeping on Biscuits,” inspired by his creative soulmate and wife Kaitlin Dibble. Ricci sang and did a monologue about her habit of eating and what she eats in bed. She is currently one of the members of his band, the Bad Kind, and has her own singing and songwriting career. His last solo on this piece sounded like a classical organ. From there, he directly threw in the familiar “pray for the dead” ditty into the well-known “St. James Infirmary.” His facial expression of seeing the dead lover in the coffin went right with the lyrics. He made this standard sound like he wrote it.
His body quivered when he played “Don't Badger the Witness.” He pumped out every note with hard driving conviction as he sang about “toxic positivity,” meaning people’s pressure for him to only display positive emotions, even when he felt negative emotions, feelings, reactions, or experiences. This leads to trauma, isolation, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
His guitarist Brent Johnson got a “thumbs” up for playing complimentary notes while dueting with Ricci's harmonica playing. Although Ricci described him as “Swinging Brent Johnson,” he was more like hard charging player.
Enjoyable were the interactions between Dibble and Ricci. When she came on stage singing Ruth Brown’s “5-10-15 Hours” with the lines “do you ever think of me,” Ricci shook his head, giving a wry smile. On their version of Irma Thomas’ “You Don’t Miss a Good Thing (Until Its Gone)” Ricci played call-and-response between each line as she sang. Loved the humor on their duet on the subject of marriage on “Why We Don’t Sleep On It.”
Ricci re-invented Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips”, with his harmonica at the forefront and Johnson's guitar blowing off the doors.
Even his strategy was out of the box when he introduced for each band member by jumping up and down.
Opening the blues party was the Burning James Blues Band led by the sexy, sweet gruff sounding vocalist / guitarist James Scoolis, Mike Serrano on lead guitar / some lead vocals, Wes Starr on drums, Rick Beaumont on keyboards, and Jan Murray on bass.
They started with an ear warmer about "Drinking Muddy Water" done as a slow groove. When Serrano did lead vocals, Scoolis supported him by doing a duck walk dance. At one point, Scoolis teased Serrano’s guitar solo by fanning his fedora over him.
Beaumont’s keyboard scarf over the keyboard was an added accent. More so was his part inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan’s keyboardist Reese Wayans on Vaughan’s "Cold Shoulder." That inspiration was a jumping off point as the short solo gave signs of his grooves.