Release: BUBBA AND THE BIG BAD BLUES - DRIFTING

BUBBA AND THE BIG BAD BLUES - DRIFTING

BLUES ROCK
LABEL: FULLERTON GOLD
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 4, 2022

 In order to fulfill his aspirations for this long-awaited sophomore album, southern California guitarist and singer/songwriter, Christopher “Bubba” Clerc, enlisted two of the best kept secrets in the music business,drummer producers, Tony Braunagel and Nick D’Virgilio to bring his dreams to fruition. To quote Braunagel “Drummers make good producers because drummers count everything off, make everything have a pace, make everything have an atmosphere, drive everything forward, and listen more than people think they do.” Clerc has been leading his powerhouse band for over a decade along with veteran players Jason “JR” Lozano on drums and bass man Doug “Mug” Swanson. 

Half of the sessions for their debut album of ten original tracks and two choice covers took place on the West Coast at Ultra Tone Studios in Studio City California, where Braunagel has produced many award-winning records, bringing in the Phantom Blues Horns (Joe Sublett on sax) and ace keyboardist Mike Finnigan (R.I.P.). The second half was recorded at the Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne Indiana by Nick D’Virgilio; drummer for Tears for Fears for 15 years, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Spock's Beard and Big Big Train. D’Virgilio has been voted in the Top 10 progressive rock drummers of all time by readers’ polls in drum magazines. Both drummers played on several of the album’s tracks, meshing their unique voice with Bubba’s talents to build the Big Bad Blues sound that is a mixture of Texas Blues, SoCal Blues Rock, Southern Soul and New Orleans R&B.

A swinging ‘I Want To Make Love To You Baby’ opens the set with soaring horns, crooning vocals, and hot Hammond B3 jabs setting the tone for a blues party. The gritty rocker, ‘Helping Hand,’ is equal parts Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix in its psychedelic organ and guitar assault. The title track, ‘Drifting,’ is a dramatic production number that highlights Bubba’s depth as a singer songwriter and a classic R&B arrangement from Richard “LaBamba” Rosenberg (Conan O'Brien, Springsteen, Southside Johnny), under the dynamic control of Braunagel. The hard driving blues rocker, ‘Do What’s Right,’ is peppered with SRV flavors and a timely plea for common sense. Bubba dishes the dirt on his ex during the Texas shuffle, ‘She’s Your Problem Now,’ and shows off his considerable guitar skills on the Paul Weller tune ‘Amongst Butterflies,’ as the rhythm section led by D’Virgilio takes the jazzy pop tune on a jam band thrill ride of twists and turns.

The four on the floor ‘Keep Moving On’ is an easy roots rock singalong. Piano man Rick Solem from Dave Alvin’s Guilty Men burns up the 88 keys, while Bubba vents his road rage on the blazing rocker ‘I Own The Road,’ then calls out his crew to party and ‘Lose These Blues.’ The depths of a man’s despair are revealed on the down tempo blues ‘I’ve Been Down,’ and the rowdy Southern Rock ramble, ‘If You Need Me,’ drips with greasy slide guitar. The acoustic driven ballad, ‘My Love,’ pays tribute to a lost loved one for a sparkling finale. Rick J Bowen

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More information:  Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, betsie@blindraccoon.com