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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 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.
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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Club Long Island - Concert ReviewsRead about Long Island and NYC Concert Performances.Also Recommended: Upcoming Concerts for Long Island & NYC. Hitman Blues Band
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Links where Hitman is featured: Marshall amps: Rockin' The Blues: |
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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 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. 
