Bubba and the Big Bad Blues

Bubba and the Big Bad Blues
Bubba and the Big Bad Blues
Fullerton Gold
      Christopher "Bubba" Clerc plays a mean guitar and sings a blend of original tunes and classic blues on his new, debut release. Backbeat drummer Shawn Nourse, versatile bassist Mike Barry and swinging pianist/organist Rick Solem set the stage for "C.O.D.," "Built For Comfort," "Big Leg Woman," "Stranger Blues" and more. The leader sings his original "Black Clouds" with a passion of a man who's been there. His guitar agrees with the song's message, as it converses with the lyrics in empathy. Clerc's tenor voice wails and moans with a ferocity that makes you believe up front. His superior guitar conversations drive the point home. You can hear samples of the program at www.BubbaBlues.com.
      The band has been together now for some ten years, performing locally. The audio samples make you wonder: what took so long for this self titled album to come out? Big Bill Broonzy's "It Hurts
Me Too," a personal favorite, captures the essence of the blues. Clerc's woven, dobro-like, slide guitar wails with the same message of endearing friendship that those classic lyrics convey. The high point of the album, however, comes the leader's New Orleans anthem, "Gimme Some Beads," where the band comes alive with a big Mardi Gras thrill.
      Who needs the travel channel on television, when Bubba and his band is here to transport us through his music? Recommended, the big bad blues is just what we need to wash our troubles away every day.

                                                                                           --Jim Santella