Review: Chris “Bad News” Barnes ‘Bad News Travels Fast’
By Ron Wynn
Chris “Bad News” Barnes has demonstrated on his first four albums both a sharp knowledge of the classic blues form known as “hokum,” and a keen ability to update and reference it for contemporary situations and events. His storied past that includes years as a successful comedy writer and performer on such television staples as “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” coupled with sizeable and significant skill as a guitarist and vocalist, have enabled Barnes to find a comfort zone and capably express himself in distinctive fashion within the blues.
However Barnes doesn’t confine himself to the music’s humorous/comedic end. His fifth release, “Bad News Travels Fast,” which was released last Friday, spotlights his skill at juggling serious and funny material, performing fast-paced, upbeat tunes or slow, simmering ballads. Things are expertly anchored on the rhythm end by Tom Hambridge, both a marvelous drummer and multiple Grammy winner who produced the session.
Barnes has enlisted many topflight musicians to collaborate on this 11 song, 44-minute project. There’s a gritty, funky undercurrent to such songs as “BluesBaller,” which also spotlights saxophonist Max Abrams. The rest of the ace band includes guitarist Kenny Greenberg, bassist Tommy McDonald, and keyboardist Mike Rojas. Trumpeter Steve Patrick teams with Abrams to provide a tremendous horn section, and Tabitha Fair adds plenty of soul as a background vocalist.
Perhaps the prototype 21st century hokum song is “You Right Baby,” with Sugaray Rayford serving as vocal foil and counterpart in a relationship comedy/drama that ultimately works out. Jimmy Hall brings scorching harmonica licks and solos to “Bad News Travels Fast” and “A Bluesman Can’t Cry,” which also is arguably the LP’s most powerful vocal number. Barnes flips back to satirical mode on such numbers as “Mushrooms Make Me A Fun Guy” and “Do The Houdini,” but Barnes shows on “True Blues” and “Ambushed By The Blues” he can deliver straightforward, earnest numbers with ample conviction. The latter also dips into socio-political commentary.
Chris “Bad News” Barnes consistently proves throughout “Bad News Travels Fast” he’s just as effective with harder edged, topical fare as he is with lighter, less serious material. His latest is both a triumph and his finest.
“Bad News Travels Fast”
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