PATRICK HAZELL HOME PAGE,  DISCOGRAPHY, REVIEWS OF OTHER RECORDINGS

TWO TRIOS---PATRICK HAZELL, BOB DORR, & MOLLY NOVA (2000)-HF0082
Half the disc spotlights father/son guitar players Billylee and Bryce Janey. The other half showcases Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Patrick Hazell and noted violinist Molly Nova. Plus one song where they all play together.   

To order from HOT FUDGE RECORDINGS click here  To order from BLUE RHYTHM RECORDINGS click here

This has got to be the rawest music since John Lee Hooker and Elmore James, you just don't hear it much like this anymore.What I like about a trio setting, all of the instruments get to step it up a notch or two and shine more. Bob Dorr's harp playing is as good as any that I have ever heard in my life. Most of you that read me on a regular basis know that I will not bullshit in a situation like this. Bob blows even better on this CD as with "The Blueband" CD that I reviewed before this and he kicked butt on it .The guitar and vocals sound like something that you would hear down on the plantation juke joint just after they got electricity and all the cats ordered some amps and stuff thru the "Sears" catalog.
I give the first half the strongest (7) Harp Salute that I have ever given, Top Drawer Stuff, so good it makes ya sweat!
O. K. here we are ready to check out the second half festivities. On this section from tunes 7-13 you have Molly Nova on 5 string electric violin, Bob Dorr on drums, Patrick James Hazell on vocals/grand piano/organ/keyboard/harmonicas/all played simultaneously-no overdubs. Yes, there is a different vibe to this half but it carries along just fine thank you. Ol' Patrick Hazell for those of you that have not heard of him ,well, here goes. Patrick is like a wildman Little Richard, Fats Domino/Jerry Lee Lewis/Jimmy Reed all rolled up in one. I know, but he is as raw as air cured country ham, when he plays/sings every pore in his body oozes music. And Miss Molly, I want you to know that if you love the way you play that electric violin, well your man is the luckiest man on this planet. Molly has a way of working those strings with that bow that sounds like it is squeezing and rubbing what it needs to make you feel thru your whole body what she is doing. Molly plays electric violin better than any man or woman that I know of. And, Bob Dorr, what the hell man, harmonica and drums too, you have got it going on brother. And he plays the drums the same way that he does harp, tasteful and weaving a groove that holds it all together.
Here are the tunes. It's Been a While, Kansas City Bound, One More Time, Hoodoo Queen, All Mixed Up, Try Me, Look Up. I also give this half a (7) Harp Salute too, Patrick's harp playing is not the same as the first half that Bob did, but they are different styles for different grooves. This has been one heck of a month, I am so happy that there is so much great music out there. This CD can also be found in my "Favorite CDs" section as well.

This CD has my highest personal seal of approval. Top drawer stuff, but should be shared with all that you meet, kind of akin to religion, it will set your soul free.

 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

 Copyright © 1999-2001 Downeast Reviews ®
 Belanger Crowley & Small Publishers