Park Foundation Music App
Home > Releases
Groovin' In The Mood Room
Overview
Groovin' In The Mood Room --- 2006
Vocalist/cornet player Al Basile's longtime friend Duke Robillard gets front cover billing, as well he should, as co-producer and guitarist on this impressive outing. The album, Basile's fifth, was even recorded at the guitarist's Pawtucket, RI studio called the Mood Room, hence the album's title. Musically, it's a combination of old-school R&B ("Baby Sister," "Be a Woman"), swamp-tinged rock & roll ("I'm in a Mood"), mid-tempo, Chuck Berry styled groovers ("Coffee and Cadillacs"), grinding blues ("Picked to Click") and even a jump blues throwback to the duo's Roomful of Blues days ("She's on the Mainline"). Robillard keeps the sound full yet stripped down -- most of the tracks feature a standard three-piece -- bass/drums/guitar setup -- which leaves space for Basile's sly vocals and snappy lyrics. Basile, a teacher and fiction author who also has a Master's degree in creative writing, not surprisingly crafts lyrics that are far more imaginative and original than most blues artists'. But they never detract from these melodies that glide along sparked by Robillard's tasty licks. The sound is clean and direct with each instrument clear in the mix as Basile and Robillard work off each other's strengths. As an added bonus, Basile writes short blurbs for each track in the accompanying booklet. Most of these are witty, some enlightening and all convey a better grasp of why the song was written and/or how it was performed. The notes bring a personal touch to an album that sure sounds like a labor of love for Basile and Robillard. They have created a low-key but tremendously enjoyable gem that any lover of classic R&B, and most Roomful of Blues fans, will relish.
Artist Bio
Videos
I Got to be the Boss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2NdqV5moE
She's on the Mainline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_lNu5aNqMg
How Much Better (Better Can Get)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWU4WpgL10
Picked to Click
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPAEDh1BB74
Your Turn to Pay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3t4PX7U98
Baby Sister
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaEgZfgxJak
I'm in a Mood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urSDo441lAw
The Show Must Go On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzR7veaSdns
Your Rights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSymGOGy_Dc
Take My Word For It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkOY7g6DgCg
Be a Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kYRe1iuN6I
Coffee and Cadillacs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1rniV_uFMU
You Satisfy
Tracklist
I Got To Be The Boss
How Much Better (Better Can Get)
She's On The Mainline
Picked To Click
Your Turn To Pay
Baby Sister
I'm In A Mood
The Show Must Go On
Your Rights
Take My Word For It
Be A Woman
Coffee And Cadillacs
You Satisfy