As printed in the Twin Cities Blues paper:
Boilerhouse CD Release Party, August 16, 1998
Nepco Lake, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
By: David B. Stanton
The crowd at the "Boilerhouse" CD Release Party was primed and ready when the band opened the event with "Little White Lie" a swing/shuffle tune written by the members of the "Boilerhouse Blues Band". It was if Louis Jordan and Junior Walker had gotten together and told these cats how to get-it-going. The sincere unpretentious character of this band is mighty refreshing given the current environment of "stars" that we all seem to be surrounded by. And, aside from the fact that these are individually and collectively some of the finest players anywhere, this band goes out of its way to make sure that the audience is having fun. It certainly was clear that this band was having fun!
Dade Grode, came out swinging with vocal acrobatics that bring to mind, David Clayton Thomas, Ray Charles and Baby Huey. Mister Grode's charisma and charm played very significantly into the way the release party would go…this seemed to be a very pleasant place for an adult to spend an evening.
The rhythm section was glued together, that's glued together with the finely wrought personal warehouse of knowledge and taste of drummer Chuck Hurtienne, bass player Rick Clark and keyboardist Jim Jinkerson.
Chuck Hurtienne dismissed any curiosity about glamour and brought to the music a long history of understanding and wisdom.
Rick Clark, who no doubt benefited substantially from his years of working with Micky Larson in the "Toung Band", and Chuck and Jim Solberg in "The Last Fair Deal," piloted the Fender bass as if it were a 1956 Buick Roadmaster.
Jim Jinkerson's congenial manner was exceeded only by a deep and thorough knowledge of the music and an ability to make the surface of the music reflect as if he were reading the minds of the citizens of "Khaki-Nations," there on the banks of Nepco Lake.
The guitar contribution on "Blind Dog Bite" was one of the highlights of the show. Dan Schmick seemed to sense just the right feel for balance between the content of the lyrics and what the song called for in the feel of the guitar lines. He to be able to move in a more jazzy direction when the groove demanded it.
Vital sparks and audio pyrotechnics filled the air as Rod Keyzer Floated through the audience and around the majestic first-growth white pines. The audience was drenched in the myth of the tenor sax and the music as well as the light seemed cinematic.
The "Boilerhouse Blues Band" puts the "show" back in show bidnezz and left the audience smiling. This refreshing approach to the blues is welcome with its flow and opulence when a lot of what we seem to be getting these days is the musical equivalent of Etch-a-sketch. "Playing With Fire" the new "Boilerhouse" CD captures the feel of the live performance and showcases some of the finest blues entertainment anywhere.
David B. Stanton
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