Amy Ryan Band - Brighter And Brighter
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © March 2025
As we all know, things seem to often get tougher rather than easier for people in the music business. With that said, it's always great receiving new music from old clients. Besides the fact that they are happy to once again have me work with their work, I'm also happy to know that they are still doing what they love - writing good songs and making good music.
It was back in July of 2021 when I first reviewed Shake and Shimmy, the Amy Ryan Band's debut release that reached #29 on the Roots Music Reports Blues Chart and remained on the chart for over three months. From what I'm listening to, history could very well repeat itself with the band's newest release, Brighter And Brighter, achieving similar success.
Impressively, these four years later, with the addition of about a half dozen additional players, the nucleus of the band is still intact. Returning to accompany Amy on the lead vocals are: Richard Green on guitar and lead vocals; Ed Stein on keyboards; Dave Imbarrato on bass; and Mark McKay on drums. Additionally, James Alanson Kirk (bass) and Finn Green (drums) join in on several tracks, with guest musicians Mark Tolstrup on slide guitar; Chris Ferrone on sax; and The Hancock Horns who are Jeff Stevens on sax, Kris Jensen on trumpet, and Peter McEachern on trombone and horn arrangements. Good move, Amy. Ya can't go wrong when you add some horns.
The first of the disc's eleven, all original tracks is titled "Hear That Train". It's a gutsy blues ballad that features Amy working her usual vocal magic. Like that train, her voice is as powerful and her range is as vast. Musically, the slow and yet profound rhythm that Dave and Mark are laying down is the perfect accompaniment for the surreal slide work that Mark Tolstrup brought to the table.
I know you've heard me say it many times and I promise you'll hear me say it many more. When it comes to female vocalists with stunning and commanding voices, belting out slow, soulful and sultry blues, I'd be more than happy to listen to it all day long. As good as Amy is throughout the track....wait a minute, make that throughout the disc...what she did during the last minute-and-a-half on the last verse of this song completely took my breath away. Then there's the music! Along with the rhythm being kicked up a few notches with masterful piano and organ work from Ed; some hot and also sultry sax work by Chris Ferone; there's Richard being all over a monster blues guitar solo that had me thinking of "I'd Rather Go Blind". By the way, the name of this track is "Won't You Tell Me", and it has me wanting to tell you that seeing this band live has just become a top priority.
"Outta My Life" is a smokin' rhythm driven shuffle on which Amy, if I may, is quite pissed off. Just hearing her say "I want you outta my life, I gotta put you down" pretty much makes my point - and deservedly so. With no job and no money for gas, Amy's flat-out tired of giving him cash to save his ass. Once again - from the hands of Ed (keys) and the mouths of the Hancock Horns - the rhythm is spot on.
Apparently, dumping that chump was just what the doctor ordered. On the title track, before she even says it, you can tell from the happiness and excitement in her voice that she's already feeling "Brighter And Brighter". Good for her. Musically, The Hancock horns, with stunning sax leads by Kris, just take this one and run with it. Again, you can't go wrong with horns.
"You Don't Get To", as in "You don't get to tell me what to do anymore", is obviously aimed at another of Amy's exes. The one sheet explained that the song was one of Amy's solo efforts that has been reworked. Hearing her flawless and range roaming vocals here, now has me wanting to hear the solo version. That said, this one is done solely with the nucleus of the band and there's nothing like the dynamics associated with a band whose members know each other's every move. Nice job guys!
As a kid, I grew up listening to my father spinning LPs of Ella, Dinah, Sarah, Nina, et al. That love for female jazz singers was instilled in me at a very young age, and just about seventy years later, nothing has changed. On her presentation of "Love Is A Fools Game", Amy transported me to Sonny's Place in Seaford, New York, where as a young adult I spent many a night listening to other ladies of song performing many of the standards from their predecessors. Apparently, she's listened to some of this stuff as well, thanks for the wonderful flashback, Amy. Of course, the slow and relaxing rhythm from James (bass) and Finn (drums) and the super silky piano work by Ed, were the perfect accompaniment for the song.
Other tracks on this very well done project include: "I Got Eyes"; "Hold My Heart"; "Digging Myself Out Of The Hole"; "How Dumb Do You Think I Am?"; and "Take It Or Leave It".
To find out more about The Amy Ryan Band you can go to their website - www.amyryanband.com - and check them out on FB at - www.facebook.com/AmyRyanBand/. Wherever you go and whomever you talk to, please tell them that the Blewzzman sent you.
