As fall is just around the corner, there is a tradition in TheBluesBlogger household where we start organizing and freezing meals for the shorter cooler days to come… TBBW, or the TheBluesBloggersWife (for those new to this blog), has been more serious than ever in preparing healthy meals since my heart attack almost a year ago.

On the menu for mass production and future consumption this past weekend was:

Minestrone soup
Vegetarian chili
And a nice hearty stew…

Saturday morning TBBW went out and got all the necessary ingredients for Saturday and Sunday’s cook fest. I can’t take any credit for this as she is definitely running the show with this operation. But my son and I are there to assist and hopefully not get too much in the way… I did mention to TBBW and son that I promised Radz Records that I would take a listen and write a little something about the latest release from The Radiators… So the family started our marathon. With our faithful and very interested golden retriever Lucille lying close by taking it all in, the music of The Radiators and the cooking began…

Wild & Free

Right from the opening title track I knew I selected the right time to listen to this new release. TBBW started to groove immediately and it set the tempo for the work that was to take place in the kitchen. Like a scene out of the movie The Big Chill, the music set the scene as Lucille looked on with that typical inquisitive canine slanted head gawk… The second track “House of Blue Lights” my 12 year old son found amusing with its crazy lyrics… “Dance like a monkey with its head ripped off… Dance like a chicken with its head chewed off “… What an absolutely fun album so far… So cool!!!

Wild & Free is a musical retrospective taking the listener on a trip through the band’s 30 year career. It showcases a wonderful mix of unreleased studio recordings, demo tracks, some rarities, and some their favorites from a choice of live performances. Two new tunes “Where Was You At?” and “The Girl With the Golden Eyes” were written especially for the occasion.

Now there are 28 tracks on this new release, so it’s impossible to mention every tune here, but let there be no doubt, this is solid upbeat good feeling party time music. If you’re unfamiliar, the music is a blend of many genres: Blues, Cajun, boogie and good old rock and roll; a real musical stew that needs to be experienced. The Radiators are a band especially known for its live performances. And it’s interesting to note, that there hasn’t been one change in members since their inception back in 1978. They have a natural chemistry befitting a true home grown New Orleans band…

The group consists of band members:

Dave Malone, guitar/vocals
Ed Volker, keys/vocals
Camile Baudoin, guitar
Reggie Scanlan, bass
Frank Bua Jr, drums

Now perhaps a brief history of this exciting group is in order…

The Radiators

were formed in New Orleans in 1978 with informal afternoon jam session in keyboardist Ed Volker’s garage. Volker, Bua, and guitarist Baudoin at the time were members of the band Rhapsodizers. Malone and Scanlan were in another band called Roadapple. When all of them got together the chemistry that brewed those afternoons was just what the doctor had ordered. Later during that time the guys worked on several original songs that they continue to play until this very day.

The Radiators became a vital part of the revival of the New Orleans music scene that saw the development of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the birth of the city’s premier music club Tipitina’s. The band has played with many legends of the New Orleans music scene. They’ve performed with the likes of Professor Longhair, Jessie Hill and Ernie K-Doe, as well as being Earl King’s regular back-up band for many years.

Always a favorite party band of college students throughout the eighties, The Rads toured at length all over the U.S., often playing 4 night stands at New York City’s famed The Lone Star Cafe… Signed by Epic Records in 1987, they released 3 studio albums, which received extensive radio play. Their live shows are noted for their soulful and enthused improvisations. Guest musicians such as Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Bob Weir, George Porter, Jr. and Maceo Parker have been known to have sit in on occasion. Volker and Malone split vocal and writing responsibilities, with the bulk of the tunes written by Volker.

The Radiators don’t appear to be slowing down either. They continue a vigorous and broad touring schedule playing close to 150 dates a year; continuing to sell out their shows major markets as New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Denver. The band has held down one of the coveted closing spots at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for over 20 years.

Back In the Kitchen

Things are really heating up now… As time progressed the tunes continued and mental notes were made as to which songs were to be replayed. My son, always known for being a music lover, made several requests for me to play certain tunes over again, but I insisted to let the music flow just like the food that TBBW was cooking up. I was never one to sit with a silent gaze when the music played unless I was witnessing it live. I always found that most music had to motivate me to do things. Whether that be walking with Lucille, painting a room, or even doing some electrical work on the house. I always made sure that music was part of that constructive process. It needs to motivate me to move forward. This is perhaps not your typical means for a review, but its TheBluesBlogger way. It’s the only manner I feel truly comfortable with presenting my honest review process. This release is a definitely feel good, foot tapping, motivating material that will certainly make you groove. It sure set the tone this weekend for me and my family.

My only regret is that I have never seen this band live, the way they should be experienced. But next time around, I will not miss it. That’s a guarantee… And you shouldn’t either!

Here are some upcoming shows:

Thu. October 23, 08 New Orleans , LA Lafayette Square
Fri. October 31, 08 Minneapolis, MN Trocaderos
Sat. November 1, 08 Minneapolis, MN Trocaderos
Wed. November 12, 08 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads Saloon
Fri. November 14, 08 Milwaukee, WI Miramar Theatre
Sat. November 15, 08 Berwin, IL Fitzgeralds
Thu. November 20, 08 Falls Church, VA State Theatre
Fri. November 21, 08 Richmond, VA Toads Place
Sat. November 22, 08 Raleigh, NC Pour House Music Hall
Fri. November 28, 08 Delray Beach, FL City Limits
Sat. November 29, 08 Delray Beach, FL City Limits
Fri. December 12, 08 New Orleans, LA Maple Leaf Bar
Sat. December 13, 08 New Orleans, LA Maple Leaf Bar
Sat. December 27, 08 Lake Tahoe, NV Crystal Bay Club Casino
Sun. December 28, 08 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord
Mon. December 29, 08 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord
Tue. December 30, 08 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord
Wed. December 31, 08 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord
Fri. January 2, 09 West Hollywood, CA Key Club
Sat. January 3, 09 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
Fri. January 23, 09 New Orleans, LA Tipitinas
Sat. January 24, 09 New Orleans, LA Tipitinas
Wed. January 28, 09 Lake Charles, LA Louisiana Crossroads
Thu. January 29, 09 New Iberia, LA Louisiana Crossroads
Fri. January 30, 09 Lafayette, LA Louisiana Crossroads
Fri. February 20, 09 New Orleans, LA Tipitinas
Sat. March 14, 09 Slidell, LA Bayou Thunder Bike Fest

For more information you can visit The Radiators at their website by clicking here…

So are you familiar with The Rads special blend of jambalaya? Are you a fish-head fan? Please make sure you add your comments and let everyone know how you feel about this extraordinary group.