DownEast Review,3-14-01

March 14 -- 2001: DOWNEAST REVIEWS return to Patrick Hazell discography page

TWO TRIOS
Tracks 1 - 7 Janey, Dorr & Janey; Tracks 7 - 13 Hazell, Dorr & Nova
Our grading system-
Excellent- ! ! ! ! ! Good- ! ! ! ! Average- ! ! ! Poor- ! ! Nix- !

This is a seventy minute disc with a split personality! The first thirty minutes is tough raw stuff in the tradition of Hound Dog
Taylor, via two guitars and drums, featuring father/son guitar slingers BillyLee and Bryce Janey. The following forty minutes
spotlights The Godfather of Iowa Blues- Patrick Hazell, a 2000 inductee into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame, playing piano,
organ, Casio keyboard, harp and singing all at the same time! No overdubs! Joined by noted five string electric violin player
Molly Nova. Dorr is the musician that fills in the percussion sound that completes the entire seventy minutes of musical
splendor.

Janey Dorr & Janey
Track 1- I.O.U.
This tune has a massive of amount of Texas Blues enveloped into the solid groove. The lead guitar work is raw with an
excellent group of interesting and charismatic phrases. The harmonica in the background maintains a steady base in the
melody line and adds depth. The vocals are similar to the lead vocalist from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kim Wilson, with a raw intensity that fits the style very well. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 2- Walkin' Out
This tune contains a marvelous mixture of Blues styles, incorporating phrases from Delta, Texas and Chicago masters
throughout. Improvisational licks appear within the composition, lending the melody a hot jam sound which builds with energy as the song progresses to multiple levels. The vocals are melodic and have a familiarity that lends to the comfortable overall groove of the melody. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 3- Doghouse Blues
This tune has a high intense energy level, via some excellent screaming electric lead guitar phrases and some heavy rhythm
guitar filling in the bass line. The harmonica has a vibrant melodic solo that adds some spice and variety. The straight forward drumming forms an excellent foundation for the expressive instrumental solo work that is a vital component in the overall intensity of this piece. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 4- Gamblin' Man's Blues
This tune is a virile mixture of the finest lead guitar phrases from George Thorogood, Jimmy Vaughan, Alvin Lee, Billy
Gibbons and other Blues-Rock guitar masters. These phrases are held together by the solid rhythm section and the colorful
Kim Wilson-esque vocals. A solid powerful example of what Blues guitar rooted music is all about, or should be about, music that gets one solidly into the dance groove of the genre. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 5- Bottle It Up
The heart and soul of the Delta Blues groove is displayed in the infectious melody of this dynamic presentation. The vocals
accentuate key melodic phrases lending a captivating dimension not often examined. The lead guitar solos are expertly crafted and presented with a minimal amount of electronic accentuation, relying on raw talent from the artist rather then electronics to embelish the sound wanted. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 6- Goin' Outta Business
BillyLee Janey, Bob Dorr and Bryce Janey close their part of the album with a powerful Blues-Rock number which is strongly rooted in the Blues genre. The boogie-woogie rhythm and keyboard accentuations keep this tune hopping with a very danceable drive. Molly Nova electrifying five string violin and Patrick Hazell's harmonica jump into the mix with the energy of a lightning bolt, sparking the energy level up another notch. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Hazell Dorr & Nova
Track 7- It's Been A While
This tune kicks off the second half of the Two Trios album, with Patrick James Hazell doing all keyboards and harmonica, all played simultaneously with no overdubs. Molly Nova plays her five string electric violin with a raw energy that evokes a
powerful emotional awe for the intensity she provides to the overall sound of the trio. Bob Dorr completes the full sound with precise percussion accents which form the backbone of the compositions. The melody has elements of Blues,
Boogie-Woogie, Rock and a bit of Rockabilly finely crafted into an excellent dance number that keeps the joint jumping. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 8- Kansas City Bound
The originality in this piece certainly lies in the unique beat and the phrases from the violin expertly blended with the keyboard accentuations. The lyrics are well written and the vocals are well presented, but they take second seat to the infectious instrumental groove that is in the forefront, as it should be. This tune is very much in the Dr. John Creaux, Mac Rebennack, vein of New Orleans Blues, with a contagious funk groove. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 9- One More Time
The Country element in this tune is a welcomed bit of variety to the album, for one thing the tempo is slowed down a couple
of notches. This tune has a Cajun feel that is only lacking accordian to slip it comfortably into that genre. A Blues tune, with
Country familiarity and a Cajun essence is certainly a new format for this charismatic trio and album. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 10- Hoodoo Queen
The break away from the Blues genre is clearly evident in this piece. Leaning more towards a Bluegrass, Country, Cajun
sound this song not only speaks of New Orleans, instrumentally it screams Bayou Swamp Boogie. The high energy level
makes this an excellent dance, party tune. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 11- All Mixed Up
With the mix incorporated to make up the components of this tune, one can certainly hear where Blues is so influenced by the Louisiana sound. This tune has a definite Bayou sound, with a virtual melting pot of fine musical influences "All Mixed Up" into the infectious groove. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 12- Try Me
This tune moves back into a more rooted Blues sound, with beautiful accentuations from the five string violin. The steady
rhythm from the keyboard and drums allows Molly Nova to display the improvisational style that leaves listeners in a stupor. The rollicking lyrics lend to the infectious quality of the melody. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 13- Look Up (Before You're Lost In The Blues)
The last song on the album, is an interesting piece with a unique groove that falls somewhere between Rock and Blues-Rock. The originality of the piece make it extremely difficult to compare, but that is the key to making great music that people will notice. It is no wonder why Patrick Hazell is called "The Godfather of Iowa Blues".( ! ! ! ! ! )

Two Trios is exactly what the title implys, it is two trios of musicians performing songs in the Blues genre with the use of
different instruments in each trio. The first trio consist of father/son guitarists and vocalists, BillyLee Janey and Bryce Janey
respectively, and Bob Dorr sits in on snare drum, cymbals and harmonica. They lay down some solid guitar rooted blues in
the first six tracks from the album. The second trio is, Patrick James Hazell doing all keyboards and harmonica, all played
simultaneously with no overdubs. Molly Nova plays her five string electric violin with a raw energy that evokes a powerful
emotional awe for the intensity she provides to the overall sound of the trio. Bob Dorr completes the full sound with precise
percussion accents which form the backbone of the compositions. Their groove incorporates the Blues, Country, Cajun,
Bluegrass genres, employing keys, violin, harmonica and drums, to create a unique blend of compositions.

This album is a must have for any Blues fan and a terrific addition to their collection of Blues music. Two Trios, is like buying two albums for the price of one. The two trios are as alike as day and night, one common link is Bob Dorr but, even he, takes on a very different facade from one trio to the other. The other common link between the two trios, and possibly the most important thing to a potential listener, is that both trios are made up of very talented musicians who craft some of the finest tunes available to date.

Downeast Reviews
PO Box 703
Sabattus ME 04280