Rosedale Junction

Rosedale Junction – Goin’ Off The Rails
Center Block Records

By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © May 2024

Goin’ Off the Rails is the third release for Boston based Americana band Rosedale Junction, and all three – yes, even this new one – have received much acclaim. In 2021, the band’s debut release – Stompin’ On The Front Porch – was nominated for “Album Of The Year” by Blues And Roots Radio; in 2022, their second release – The Last Rodeo – reached number one on the Roots Music Reporting’s ‘Country Blues’ chart; and off of this release, “309 Buckland Street” was the winner of the 2023 New England Songwriting Competition in the Blues Category. With all that said, we are happy to say that we at Mary4Music.com are honored to have worked with all three of these fine albums.

On Goin’ Off the Rails, Toby Soriero – the album’s producer on vocals, guitar, bass, resonator, hand claps, and horn arrangements – is joined by: Dgiovahni Denize on vocals and bass; Richard Farrell and Joel Jorgensen on vocals; Elishema Mannie on lead and background vocals; Roger Smith on piano, organ, Fender Rhoads and Wurlitzer electric piano, and Hammond A100 organ; Phil Madeira on organ and Hammond B3 organ; Jim Riley on drums; Alex Allison on programmed drums; Trent Williamson on harmonica; Andy Ellison on pedal steel guitar; Mark Morgan on trumpet and horn arrangements; Josh Scalf on trombone; Mark Dvorin on tenor and baritone saxophones; and Joe Soriero on guitar. Of the disc’s nine tracks, seven are Toby Soriero originals.

On the title track, the music and vocals could not have been a more perfect match to accompany someone who is “Goin’ Off The Rails”. As a matter of fact, the lead and background vocals being belted out by Dgiovahni and Elishema, sound like they’re already gone. Add to that the frantic organ leads from Phil; the thunderous rhythm coming from Toby on the bass and Jim on the drums; along with awakening guitar runs from Toby; and this is one that’s not for the faint of heart. Warning: use caution listening to this one while driving.

Not knowing if the lyrics on “Chicken Man Blues” are fact or fiction, I am reluctant to say that they cracked me up and actually had me laughing at the end. As the story goes, Toby’s dog dug a hole under the fence and ran away. Making things worse, there’s apparently a chicken farm nearby. If you’ve not yet gotten the drift, maybe this verse will help…….”Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, put away that gun. Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, he only ate one.Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, well maybe he had two. Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, one got away and flew.Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, I swear he’ll stop at three. Chicken Man don’t shoot my dog, go on and shoot me…….
Surprisingly, except for the dead chickens, the song does have somewhat of a happy ending. Musically, as it is going to be common on this whole disc, the rhythm of Jim on drums, Dgiovahni on bass, Roger on electric piano, and Alex adding programmed drum sounds, is once again profound. Along with the song’s story, Toby’s guitar and resonator give it a cool country blues vibe.

This is not your daddy’s drag racing song. Sure, the Beach Boys had their ‘Little Deuce Coupe’; Pat Travers bragged about his ‘Hot Rod Lincoln’; and of course, Wilson Pickett – and countless others – got all hepped up over “Mustang Sally’. All great songs about great cars, but none of them had old man Tiggett behind the wheel. As the story goes, and it’s a true one at that: “Old Man Tiggett drove a mean quarter mile; Burned up rubber and won with style.Smokin’ the bleach and droppin’ the clutch; That jacked up pony packed a powerful punch.Pedal to the metal when that tree turns green; That dude hit speeds that were so obscene.”On this true story, Toby pays homage to the New England drag racing legend who gave his competition the “Quarter Mile Blues”. Vocally, with it’s deep leads and contrasting backups; and musically, with it’s killer rhythm and blues guitar licks; its a very different and quite interesting drag racing song.

As I listen to “309 Buckland Street”, it’s easy to understand why the song won the 2023 New England Songwriting Competition in the Blues Category. Although it’s usually a song’s lyrics that are largely for responsible for wining a ‘songwriting’ award, everything about this one is one is masterful at the least.
Toby kicks it off with a spoken word intro about an old timer sharing precious life stories with the young’uns, and the vibe he creates transports you to a front porch somewhere in a small town. But as the story unfolds, 309 Buckland Street turns out to be a package store and insight the old man offers about turning to drinking is legit as all get out. Musically, it’s one of my favorite tracks. It’s slow blues with a Gospel feel that features heartfelt, spiritual and sometimes heavenly vocals from Richard, killer blues harmonica blowin’ by Trent, masterful high end piano leads by Roger and soft, sullen blues guitar leads by Toby. Great track!

Not being sure if I ever heard the original version of “Waiting Around To Die”, by Townes Van Zandt, I stopped what I was doing here and went straight to You Tube for a listen or three. Since the several performances I clicked on all appeared to be acoustic versions, between the tandem smokin’ lead and pedal steel work of Toby and Andy; and the tandem Hammond work of Roger and Phil; this is the version I’ll remember hearing.

In addition to a second, ten minute, amped up – whether it needed it or not – version of “Goin’ Off The Rails” that features additional guitars and the soundtrack of the Boston MBTA: Green Line, other tracks on this powerful release include: “Momma Sure Was Right”; “Junkin’ Down And Funkin’ Up”, and “High Time We Went” (Chris Stainton & Joe Cocker).

If you should like to find out more about Jeff Pitchell, just go to – www.jeffpitchellofficial.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.