Time: 54:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Funky Blues
Art: Full
01. Addicted (4:16)
02. Treble And Bass (4:35)
03. Left Lane (4:47)
04. Cross That Line (5:32)
05. Ransom: The Ballad Of Billy Hobbs (5:02)
06. Space Is The Ra Place (4:14)
07. It's You (5:12)
08. Comfortable Shoes (3:19)
09. Dues Cruise (7:38)
10. Ain't Over Yet (7:33)
11. Ransom Outro (2:11)
House of Dues are a Greensboro NC based blues and funk outfit who have recently released their second recording, "Cross That Line" on their own label, House of Dues Music. Veteran musicians David Bolton on Guitar and Chuck Cotton on drums connected on a Fat Tuesday gig in 2010, and loved playing so much, they recorded their first album, "Gimme Some Hotcakes" a collection of blues standards and original music in the New Orleans funk and blues tradition. In 2011, they won the Piedmont Preservation Blues Society's Blues Challenge, and performed at the International Blues Competition in Memphis, attracting attention from around the world.
In August of 2012, they began work on a collection of 11 original songs, and in August 2013, "Cross That Line" was released. In addition to Bolton on guitar and vocals, Cotton on drums, the lineup is rounded out with bass player and vocalist AJ Diggs, Steve Blake on tenor and soprano sax as well as 18 year old keyboard phenom Sam Fribush.
"Cross That Line" is a mash up of blues, funk and songwriting that supports three vocalists, harmony vocals, as well as stellar playing across the record. "Ransom: The Ballad of Billy Hobbs" is dedicated to a fellow bluesman who was murdered at home while with a friend. Both were burned badly but Billy's friend survived the fire, but will serious injuries. His killer was detained, but later released because of botched police work. The song is a dedication to his life as a bluesman.
The opening tune, "Addicted" features Chuck Cotton on vocals, as does the track "It's You", both funky and grooving with Cotton on drums. AJ Diggs soulful approach on "Left Lane" and "Comfortable Shoes" shows how "old skool" can bring his Philly roots to bear. Bolton has the blue eyed soul down, especially on "Ain't Over Yet", a slow anthem about making a relationship U-turn.
The title track, "Cross That Line" is about going too far in the wrong direction with street life, and all that comes with it. When Bolton shared with singer songwriter and friend Grant Peeples that he wrote his first song about whores, murderers and crazy people, Grant replied, "what took you so long?"
The record also has three instrumentals that show off the band's spontaneity and funky jamming. If you love the Meters, the Nevilles and the whole New Orleans sound, you will love this original recording, mastered at Bruce Barielle Studios in NOLA.
In August of 2012, they began work on a collection of 11 original songs, and in August 2013, "Cross That Line" was released. In addition to Bolton on guitar and vocals, Cotton on drums, the lineup is rounded out with bass player and vocalist AJ Diggs, Steve Blake on tenor and soprano sax as well as 18 year old keyboard phenom Sam Fribush.
"Cross That Line" is a mash up of blues, funk and songwriting that supports three vocalists, harmony vocals, as well as stellar playing across the record. "Ransom: The Ballad of Billy Hobbs" is dedicated to a fellow bluesman who was murdered at home while with a friend. Both were burned badly but Billy's friend survived the fire, but will serious injuries. His killer was detained, but later released because of botched police work. The song is a dedication to his life as a bluesman.
The opening tune, "Addicted" features Chuck Cotton on vocals, as does the track "It's You", both funky and grooving with Cotton on drums. AJ Diggs soulful approach on "Left Lane" and "Comfortable Shoes" shows how "old skool" can bring his Philly roots to bear. Bolton has the blue eyed soul down, especially on "Ain't Over Yet", a slow anthem about making a relationship U-turn.
The title track, "Cross That Line" is about going too far in the wrong direction with street life, and all that comes with it. When Bolton shared with singer songwriter and friend Grant Peeples that he wrote his first song about whores, murderers and crazy people, Grant replied, "what took you so long?"
The record also has three instrumentals that show off the band's spontaneity and funky jamming. If you love the Meters, the Nevilles and the whole New Orleans sound, you will love this original recording, mastered at Bruce Barielle Studios in NOLA.
Cross That Line