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Radioindy.com
The Hitman Blues Band spins out another fantastic album, “Pale Rider,” that offers generous helpings of mostly original Blues/Rock compilations. The lead vocal impresses the listener with rootsy and melodic tonality while the instruments drive home a rush of rocking energy. You’ll be hooked right from the first song, “Your Blues” with the dynamic beats and catchy lyrics. Another song, “Red Hook” runs full throttle as the guitar runs with maximum fury on the solo. Offering up a different sound, “Miss Catherine,” shows off some nice horn hooks that interplays with the vocal and is a treasure of a song that displays a lively bouncy beat. The title track, “Pale Rider,” is splashed with nice Hammond organ chords that compliment the razor sharp guitar lead. If you’re a fan of Johnny Winter or just like some great Rocking Blues, then “Pale Rider,” is just the album you’ll want to hear.
-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team |
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bluesinthenorthwest.com (UK)
“Pale Rider”
(Nerus Records: NR4485)
Firmly at the rockier end of the blues are The Hitman Blues Band, formed in 1989 by Russell ‘Hitman’ Alexander deliver 12 original songs on “Pale Rider”, plus a cover of Son House’s “Death Letter” – the core of the band being Alexander himself on lead vocals and guitar, Kevin Rymer (keyboards), Mike Porter (bass) and Ed ‘The Hat’ D’Alessio (drums) – now replaced in the live band by Guy LaFountaine.
The New York-based Alexander is a fine vocalist with just the right amount of grit in his voice and no slouch in the guitar department – his biting leads dominating the album, as evident on the opening blues rocker “Your Blues”, ably assisted by Kevin Rymer’s tasteful organ fills; “Trouble On The Line” treads similar turf, with more spiky leads on the funky “Blues Can’t Hit”.
The breakneck “Red Hook” is driven by Russell Alexander’s slide guitar, with Ed D’Alessio and Mike Porter driving the song along; “I Know About The Blues” is a slow burner, more great slide here, with the pace taken down on the jazzy “Miss Catherine” – complete with additional musicians Mike Snyder (piano and clarinet), Greg Mercado (tuba), Eric Altarac (trumpet) and guitar solo from Mike Mulieri – a nice diversion indeed from the general feel of the album.
However, the pace is taken back up for the driving “I’m Coming For You” and the rocking “Calamity’s Child”, with a nice blues shuffle in “This To Shall Pass”, with backing vocals from Joanne Alexander – the good lady wife I presume? The title cut “Pale Rider” contains more fiery guitar leads and turns into a terrific shuffle mid-song. The album closer being the afore-mentioned cover of “Death Letter” – a rocky take with more fine organ work from Kevin Rymer, and a radically different arrangement of most reworkings of the song.
This may not be one for the blues purists – but for those who enjoy the rockier end of the blues it is recommended listening – all very well played and produced with Russell ‘Hitman’ Alexander taking centre stage with voice, impressive writing and guitar.
GRAHAME RHODES
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Pale Rider review - Blues Bytes Magazine
For twenty years, The Hitman Blues Band has been rocking the New York area with their searing brand of blues/rock, drawing favorable comparisons to Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, and Kenny Wayne Sheppard along the way. Led by founding member, guitarist/singer Russell “Hitman” Alexander, the band has made various personnel changes along the way, but Alexander remains the constant with his gravelly vocals and gritty blues fretwork.
Pale Rider (Nerus Records) is the band’s fourth release. It’s loaded with crowd-pleasing blues/rock tunes that feature Alexander’s exemplary guitar work. Though the emphasis is on blues/rock, Alexander’s guitar work is firmly rooted in the blues. His guitar playing is on par with the artists mentioned in the previous paragraph, but I also hear Donald Kinsey occasionally in his soloing at times, notably on the second track, “Trouble On The Line.”
Choice tracks include “Blues Can’t Hit,” “Red Hook,” which showcases Alexander’s slide guitar, the grinding rocker “I Know About The Blues,” the jazz swinger “Miss Catherine,” which provides an interesting change of pace, “This Too Shall Pass,” and the scorching title track. The disc’s lone cover is a plugged-in take of Son House’s “Death Letter.”
The remainder of the Hitman Blues Band consists of Kevin Rymer (keyboards), Mike Porter (bass), and Ed D’Alessio on drums, and they provide rock-steady support. On “Miss Catherine,” the band is augmented by Mike Snyder (piano, clarinet), Greg Mercado (tuba), Eric Altarac (trumpet), and Mike Mulieri (guitar). Jim Sabella takes a guitar solo on the track “I’m Coming For You,” and backup vocals are handled by Joanne Alexander, Angelique Alexander, and Nancy Hampton.
Pale Rider is a strong, satisfying set of high-energy blues/rock that will please fans of the genre. Check it out at CDBaby.
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Review of Pale Rider
 Russell "Hitman" Alexander is getting really good at making CD's.
His use of top notch sidemen on his previously released CDs, has evidently become a "good habit". Backed by Hitman blues Band regulars, Ed D'allesio's (drums), Mike Porter (Bass) and Kevin Rymer (Keyboards) and a full compliment of supporting artists, the music is full and busy.
Hitman's guitar rises to the challenge for my money. His slide work on "Pale Rider" is a musical self - portait all by itself.
The real treasure on this CD is without a doubt, Hitmans lyrics. He is a literate and subtle lyricist.
For example, he manages to name most of the things that can give you the blues in his first song, "Your Blues". Or "I just want somethin I can put in gear, so I won't be around when the blues gets here!", from the song "Blues Can't Hit. ( What The Blues Can't Catch)".
I should take this moment to point out that I am a fan of the Hitman Band and I count Russ among my closest friends. Anything he releases is preaching to chior as far as I'm concerned, but like I said at the front of this piece, He's getting really good at this.
- Keith MacKenzie
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Live at Stony Brook University-the Hitman Blues Band Nerus NR4483 2006
Doc Blues Reviews - 1/10/08
Hitman hit the stage of the University Café hard with dark blue chords reeking of real life. The band boogies and shimmies with swagger and ‘tude. Opening with a Memphis blues called “Green Thing,” the real drug is exposed. Hitman keeps the gravel flying with his rocking and Chicago axework. Russ’ vocals exude funky soulfulness with a trademark soupcon of vibrato. Kevin’s keys soar, plunk and wail while the tight rhythm that Jay and Mike pour out anchor the proceedings. Hitman writes blues with feeling that distills experience and pain into stinging leads and impassioned cries and wild call and response stories. A cover of “Boom Boom” is given appropriate energy and push. “Slither” reveals a dump that chump attitude commonly expressed as, “how can she be with that loser?” in a fine shuffle. If you get far enough, you can explain to some fair maiden your attributes as done in “Fine Piece of Merchandise.” Still later, the possibility of “Sharing This Christmas With the Blues” might follow the “Two Minute Warning.” A negative outcome might force you to be quick moving or hard drinking so as to avoid Mme. Blues since “The Blues Can’t Hit What the Blues Can’t Catch.” When all of these factors add up, an individual can certainly claim that “I Know About the Blues.” MS, TN or LA have no monopoly on these blues as demonstrated by Hitman and the boys. They deliver pain and humor with good rocking and dry wit. I guarantee he’ll deliver. Catch him soon but, if you can’t, pick up a copy of this concept blues opera for a wickedly good taste.
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Blues In Britain Magazine - Issue 41
THE HITMAN
Russell ‘The Hitman' Alexander + Groove Juice at the Warrington R&B Club, 10 June 2005
Russell Alexander is a singer/guitarist/composer from New York, who graced the main stage at the Great British R&B Festival in Colne last year. He was backed at Warrington by Carlisle-based Groove Juice, who comprise Alex Green on vocals and bass guitar, Martin McDonald on guitar and Dave Winthrop on drums.
The trio from Cumbria played the first set on their own, performing an entertaining mix of covers and original numbers, including “Caldonia”, “Lonely Avenue” and The Fabulous Thunderbirds' “You Ain't Nothing But Fine”. After a break, The Hitman entered the fray, his elegant attire rounded off with a black bandana and a hat – a sort of cranial belt and braces. He opened his account with “Green Thing”, which is highly reminiscent of the Onions of that hue, before giving a fine rendition of the slow blues, “Raining Up In Harlem”. His set also included a cracking version of John Lee Hooker's “Boom, Boom”, on which he and Martin McDonald delivered magnificent guitar solos to complement his splendidly gritty vocals.
 Several of the numbers performed feature on the excellent Angel In The Shadows album: the title track, a sensitive ballad; “Slither”, a fast moving shuffle; the rumba-rhythmed “Fine Piece Of Merchandise”; and “Mean Mistreater”, which Alexander confessed to have ‘stolen' from Ike Turner, who ‘stole' it from Charley Patton, who ‘stole' it from . . . . Two encores completed a terrific evening: a brilliant delivery of Credence Clearwater Revival's “Born On The Bayou” and a rousing version of “I Hear You Knocking”.
Russell Alexander proved to be a consummate artiste, combining superb vocals with amusing patter and captivating stage presence; and Groove Juice made a very significant contribution to the success of the show both in their own right and in backing The Hitman.
See and listen to www.hitmanbluesband.com |
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| Hitman Blues Band - "Live at Stonybrook University": Full-cd - US (9/2006) |
 Russell Alexander alias Hitman for some time already has his part in the New York blues scène. He sings well, plays a mean guitar and writes nice blues songs. Hitman is also a familiar face on this side of the ocean: last September he did a major tour throughout the UK. Our very own Bobtje witnessed one of these gigs and was full of praise for what he heard. So where does a man with Hitman's background fit best? Exactly: on a stage. The University Cafe of the Stonybrook University, New York, is as good a venue as every other one for making a live CD. His songs are perfectly in line with what the big shots in the blues have concocted this past half a century. On 'Live at Stonybrook University' you'll find eleven of these, most of them stemming from the two earlier albums 'Blooztown' and 'Angel in the Shadows'. There's just one cover, the archetypical 'Boom Boom' of John Lee Hooker, which indicates what kind of music Hitman is into. It's not going to change the course of musical history, but with his band (on the UK tour he played with different, local musicians, a viable way of doing in the blues) Hitman makes it an enjoyable and varied trip, the kind of live CD which makes you think: wish I had been there. 'Green Thing' (very Booker T), 'Slither', 'Fine Piece of Merchandise' (the chorus!), 'The Blues can't hit what the Blues can't catch' are more than average tunes. What gives it extra breathing space, is the fine sense of humor, the mild irony and self-mockery, to be found in lyrics and in between comments. Just listen to the last part of 'Raining up in Harlem': adultery becomes a fun sport, this way! His undertaker looks, top hat, black costume and sunglasses, accentuate it all. Think Hitman should hit the Lowlands very soon now.
Reviewed by: Antoine Légat
Info: Live at Stonybrook University / Nerus Records / NR4483
Website: www.hitmanbluesband.com
E-mail: hitman@quickchange.com
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Club Long Island - Concert Reviews
Read about Long Island and NYC Concert Performances.
Also Recommended: Upcoming Concerts for Long Island & NYC.
Hitman Blues Band
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Russell "Hitman" Alexander - Vocals, Guitar
Clutch Reilly - Bass Guitar
Kevin Rymer - Keyboards,
Jay Sharkey - Drums
Check out HitmanBluesBand.com for more info.
Email at hitman@quickchange.com |
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The Hitman Blues Band turned on their amps about 9pm at Jillian's in Farmingdale Friday Night. For a dreary, rainy night, many people showed up to have some fun, food and dance in the club area.... but the Blues Lounge at Jillian's was just about empty. Starting off with a few covers, the band began to draw in some of the patrons and as the night progressed and the band switched over to their original songs, more people began to trickle in. With pumping music coming from the club five feet across the hall, The Hitman Blues Band still managed to bring in a decent crowd within an hour.
The Band formed back in 1986 before the Internet was a source for band reviews and big hair was normal. Inspired by various musicians and styles from the 50's to today, The Hitman Blues Band has toured extensively in Europe, The USA and Canada with a versatile sound that most blues, R & B and rock lovers can enjoy. A seasoned band with a mixture of good music, humor and Russell "Hitman" Alexander wandering the audience in the middle of a song to say hello to you.
A great band to see for some blues and fun. Check out their latest CD, Blooztown available at their web site and live shows. |
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Links where Hitman is featured:
Marshall amps:
http://www.marshallamps.com/
Rockin' The Blues:
http://www.rockingtheblues.com/Hitman.htm |
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