Review: Anthony Geraci 'Blues Called My Name'

Anthony Geraci

By Mike O’Cull

Blues Music Award-winning keyboardist, songwriter, and composer Anthony Geraci unleashes a lifetime of greatness on his new solo album Blues Called My Name. Available now on Blue Heart Records, the set finds Geraci sounding better than ever on a winning mix of vocal tracks and instrumentals.

Geraci produced the record himself and did a fine job of showcasing his mighty style on piano and Hammond organ. He’s backed on these wonderfully-captured moments by Paul Loranger on acoustic bass, Jeff Armstrong on drums, and Charlie O’Neal on guitar, a tight and capable trio with a deep pocket. Special guests including Monster Mike Welch, Erika Van Pelt, Anne Harris, Sugar Ray Norcia, and Walter Trout augment the core four-piece studio band in the best-possible ways and bring their heavyweight vibes to Geraci’s blues experience.

Anthony Geraci has been playing the daylights out of the blues for the last 40 years. Originally from New Haven, Connecticut and now based in Boston, Massachusetts, he’s an original member of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. He has performed with the likes of B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers, as well as countless other legends of the blues and important contemporary acts. In addition, Geraci graduated from Berklee College of Music with a B.A. and earned an M.A. from Skidmore College. He’s been nominated for a Grammy Award, nominated fifteen times for Blues Music Awards and won a Blues Music Award. He’s considered one of the top keyboard players in the blues scene and anything he’s involved in is worthy of your listening time.

Geraci kicks his party off with “That Old Pine Box,” a hard-punching song about dying that features Sugar Ray Norcia on lead vocals. It’s an energetic ode to the acceptance of one’s mortality and is less threatening and more spiritually enlightened than typical blues fare. Here, the pine box isn’t a trap but a vehicle going home, which is an entirely different point of view than the “Hellhound On My Trail” Robert Johnson-isms so prevalent in blues lyrics. Geraci tears it up on the piano like the big dog he is and will get you dancing and thinking quickly.

“The Blues Called My Name” is pure vintage heartbreak blues and absolutely smolders with the pain of it all. Monster Mike Welch jumps in on guitar and contributes some hot, snarling licks while Sugar Ray again croons out the vocals. Anthony Geraci plays this old-school blues style extremely well, anchoring his piano accompaniment and solos way down in the groove. This is high-end playing and songwriting that demonstrates Geraci’s commitment to the blues and to the nuances involved in getting it just right.

Speaking of vintage, Geraci’s original instrumental boogie track “Boston Stomp” displays his mastery of the old ways and how he can make them jump once again. His left hand pumps out unstoppable bass lines while he takes commanding and intricate solos with his right. This one is nothing but fun and will light you up with a single spin.

Geraci takes the lead vocal position himself for the only time on the record on the upbeat “I Go Ooh.” The song is a dance floor filler that features a delicious swing feel and more big boss piano. Anthony’s vocals are just as enjoyable, however, and he should consider singing more of his own tunes. In any case, this is a rocking cut that’ll get you feeling good and isn’t that why we’re here?

Geraci and friends dip into Big Easy territory on the hip-shaking instrumental “Wading In The Vermilion,” which brings in Anne Harris on violin. Her presence and texture change the feel of the group in a subtle way that makes this one of Blues Called My Name’s best selections. There are no missteps on the record, though, and nothing here misses the mark. Anthony Geraci is a beast on all levels and may well be the finest keyboardist in roots music today. Give this one a revolution or two and see if you don’t agree.

Listen to “Into The Night (Feat. Walter Trout)”