Concert Review: Roomful of Blues @ The Linda, 07/07/2023

The joint was definitely jumpin’ when Roomful of Blues played at The Linda on Friday night.

Amazingly formed in the late sixties, this venerable Rhode Island-based band has had more than 50 musicians pass through its ranks. The longest-serving member still on stage is tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille, who joined in 1970 when their brass section was first added.

It is immediately apparent from the opening instrumental number, “Gator’s Groove,” that the brass section cooks. With Carl Gerhard on trumpet and Alek Razdan on tenor and baritone saxophone, they move and groove like a well-oiled machine, buoying each song with sass and style. In particular, Razdan’s baritone work is as fat and greasy as the best barbecue, adding a satisfying extra growling bass to the sound.

The rhythm section of Mike Coffey on drums, “Big” John Turner on upright bass, and keyboardist Rusty Scott keep things locked down nicely. Roomful of Blues has had notable guitar slingers in their history, including founding member Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl, both of whom went on to have great success as solo artists and band leaders in the blues genre. Chris Vachon holds the spot now and has done so since 1990. It’s clear that Vachon is the leader, counting the songs in and giving verbal and visual cues to the rest of the band. The lineup is completed by vocalist Phil Pemberton, who has a pleasant voice and a relaxed, unhurried delivery, almost like a blues crooner, if there is such a thing.

Roomful of Blues can best be described as a jump blues swing revival band, and they do just that—and do it well. Covers and originals blend together as the band and the audience happily bop and rock and roll to the beat. They end with a storming version of Gary US Bonds’ “New Orleans,” and at that moment, we all feel like we’ve taken that trip with them “down the Mississippi” to the Big Easy as the crowd sings along lustily.

Roomful of Blues will be playing in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and, of course, Rhode Island through the end of August. Catch them if blues is your bag.

Setlist:

• Gator’s Groove
• Turn it On, Turn it Up
• It All Went Down the Drain
• It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie
• She’s Too Much
• She Quit Me Again
• Boogie Woogie Country Girl
• Too Much Boogie
• Your Love Was Never There
• You Move Me
• I Smell Trouble
• Easy Baby
• Have You Heard?
• Watch Your Back
• In a Roomful of Blues
• Keep on Rockin’
• Guitar Feature Instrumental
• Horn Section Feature Instrumental
• I Can’t Wait
• What Can I Do?
• Zydeco Boogaloo

Encore:

• New Orleans