Christy Rossiter & 112 North Duck

Christy Rossiter & 112 North Duck’s latest release, the band’s third, is called Stand Up & Raise Some Hell (Applecopter), and if you liked their previous effort, Gone Fishin’, you will find much to enjoy with their latest. Singer Rossiter can bring it with the best of them, with plenty of earthy sass and brass, and guitarist Michael Beebe really raises things up a notch with his fretwork. Of course, the rock-solid backing of the rhythm section (Billy Talacko – guitar, sax, David Beasley – bass, and J. E. Van Horne) doesn’t hurt things one bit.

This band can certainly play the blues, as heard on tracks like “Shades of Gray,” “Take A Walk With Me,” “Saddle Up And Ride,” the humorous “Smart Phone Junkies,” and the sizzling album closer, “The Westboro Blues.” However, they’re more than carry their own on funky rockers like the title track and “I’m Not Gonna Tell You,” or a tender ballad like “Amy’s Song,” or the pop-flavored “The Way You Are” and “Humuhumunukunukuapus’a.”

Stand Up And Raise Some Hell is a fun release that showcases the considerable talents of Rossiter and Beebe, both of whom will really impress listeners once again. It will be interesting to see where the band goes from here. - Graham Clarke

Naming themselves after the address of a house of ill repute in the Old West, there’s no reason to be wary of 112 North Duck.
The group is comprised of a dichotomy of 50-somethings Michael Beebe (lead guitar) and J.E. Van Horne (drums) – band mates in some form or another for nearly 20 years – and two 30-something longtime friends David Nauman (bass, vocals) and Brendan Riley (vocals, guitar). Together, they play a blend of whirlwind blues, tinged with eclectic leanings towards classic country, rock and even Appalachian waltzes. It should be of no surprise that there is nothing amateurish about this bunch, who collectively represent more than a half century’s worth of professional musical experience.
Beebe and Van Horne started the group in 2004, wanting to get out of the regional rock circuits and focus on something they’ve always loved but never had the opportunity to do – play the blues. A mutual contact put Van Horne in touch with vocalist Riley, whose booming tenor would eventually rip through many a 12-, 16-, whatever-bar blues for the group. A myriad of bass players came and went, but Nauman offered to give it a shot and has been a mainstay for more than a year.
With a set list that consists of blues classics and just as many originals (all four members currently write for the group), 112 North Duck just self-released their third album, “Dog At Your Door,” earlier this week. They will celebrate this on Friday with an official CD release party at McKenna’s on Pacific Street, an Omaha blues staple that is once again prepared to host live music on the weekends.
What’s the history of the band? Michael, you said you and J.E. have been playing together for nearly 20 years?
J.E.: Well, ’91, ’92, I guess. He probably hates me now, but we don’t fight. We were a rock band before (called Beebe), and I think Michael and I have always played in rock bands where we’ve always had a great love for blues music, which really rock ‘n’ roll comes right out of. We thought we’d just throw a band together and start performing.
I’ve known Brendan through his dad for years in the Turfmen, because I did all the Turfmen recordings. I asked him if he wanted to sing with us one day and he came over and sang and actually seemed to have a knack for it. Then he drug David in on it (on bass) and that’s kind of how it all got going.
Haven’t you gone through a few bass players already?
Michael: Dave replaced an emergency bass player. That tends to happen at times.
J.E.: I have always had terrible luck with bass players. I don’t know what it is. I just seem to eat them up and spit them out. I’ve just had a string of bad luck. Have you seen the movie “Spinal Tap” where they lose their drummers? I have had a tendency over the years to lose bass players.
David, what do you think about this?
David: Oh, I’m not too worried about it … I’ll probably die. I had never played bass when I walked into this band.
My recollection of how I got into the band was I remember I’d be sitting over at Brendan’s apartment and Brendan would be putting fliers together that said “Working band looking for bass player.” I watched him do that for maybe a couple months. And finally one day I was like, “You know, if you have a bass I can play, I’ll try.” I mean, it just didn’t seem you were having much success finding anyone.
Didn’t the band start out playing renditions of classic blues songs?
J.E.: We recorded an album of all cover material, “Judgment Day” (their first album). And then Brendan one day walked in to practice and said, “I wrote a song.” We were just going to be a band that played locally and then he wrote (that) song and we all thought maybe we could start writing some stuff, too. The next album was almost entirely original material and Brendan wrote most of it. So as long as the creative juices are flowing, we’ll keep working it and see how far we can take it.
Brendan: And it’s much fun writing your own stuff.
Michael: It’s very organic. We didn’t plan on being an original band. It just kind of happened. We kept throwing the stuff in the sets and the people who’d come to see us didn’t seem to care. So probably about half the night is original stuff in a four-hour night.
Well, you’re lucky to be a blues band or a band that can draw from covers, because a regular rock band would struggle to fill a four-hour set.
Michael: It’s fun, too. The other thing about doing the blues stuff is you’re doing such old songs, that you can do anything you want to them.
Brendan: Yeah, we recorded a Robert Johnson tune. Old stuff.
So the new album is all originals?
J.E.: Yeah, three of them were written by other people, but they’re all originals. Kevin Doyle was in an acoustic group, Duggan and Doyle, and he wrote the second song. Loren Winkler, the guitar player from Blue House, wrote “Mississippi Mud” and then there’s a band out of Minneapolis called the Creek Bones that I know the bass player and he sent me one of their albums. That’s where “Unra - Omaha City Weekly by Will Simons

…yes, the name of the band is 112 North Duck… no, I can’t explain why. They are an up and coming blues band in the up and coming Omaha Nebraska music scene.

Co-founders J.E Van Horne (drums) and Michael Beebe (guitar) are veteran music partners from the Omaha rock scene, joined on this CD by band members Brian Luger and Brendan Riley.

I liked seeing that the songwriting on this CD was for the most part collaborative, with each member contributing their influence.

There is one cover song “She Caught the Katy” that is dwarfed by the collective power of the rest of the material. I think maybe they just like to play it. Outside of that, there is one tune by Loren Winkler from the Omaha band, Blue House, titled “The Turn.” It’s a good tune to have added to the rest. Good energy.

I was also pleased to hear some variety in the rhythms, material, arrangements and production of this collection. The “Duck” sticks its toes in at the close neighbors of the blues…country, rock and reggae. They have successfully avoided any temptation to jam on endlessly in gratuitous solos, and this 13-track CD moves right along.

A few of the song endings are bit abrupt, and land on a major chord that seems strangely out of it’s neighborhood but this barely detracts from the overall effect.

The concise guitar work of Beebe and the velvet fog vocals of Riley will be obvious to the listener, but they enjoy a solid rhythm section with Van Horne and Luger. Here are just a few of my favorite points:

This recording starts out with the title track, “I Took the Hook”, written by Beebe and Riley. This is a gutsy shuffle. It makes you want to keep listening.

The second track claims that she could bring a “Tear to a Glass Eye.” This one rocks in a way that Stevie Ray fans would enjoy. I’d pick this one as the “hit” track.

The fourth track surprised me with its clever “who, what, where, when, why” lyrics and phrasing in the verses. I was much more hooked by that than the everyman’s title hook, “Rollin’ Low.”

Riley sings Beebe’s song, “End of the Road” like he’s known it all his life. A blue rock ballad. Riley’s smokey vocals deliver the bad news convincingly. “That’s what I’m Talkin’ About” takes us on another musical turn with its reggae leanings, and indicts its subject saying, “with malice aforethought you done me wrong.” No apologies.

Number eleven “Gravedigger” is a sultry 12-bar minor blues. To quote, “You are a gold digger baby now you’re my gravedigger…don’t it figure.”

The final track of this CD is “Mountain Movin’ Mama” about the singer’s git ‘er done gal. It is a great get everybody up to dance song with a bit of the boogie woogie to it.

If you are interested in sampling this album or contacting the band go to the band website at:

http://www.112northduck.com

or the secured Applecopter site:

https://secure.applecopter.com

Beth McBride

The South Sound Blues Association
P.O. Box 26303
Federal Way, WA
98093-3303
www.southsoundblues.com
September 2007 - Beth Mc Bride - Federal Way, WA

…yes, the name of the band is 112 North Duck… no, I can’t explain why. They are an up and coming blues band in the up and coming Omaha Nebraska music scene.

Co-founders J.E Van Horne (drums) and Michael Beebe (guitar) are veteran music partners from the Omaha rock scene, joined on this CD by band members Brian Luger and Brendan Riley.

I liked seeing that the songwriting on this CD was for the most part collaborative, with each member contributing their influence.

There is one cover song “She Caught the Katy” that is dwarfed by the collective power of the rest of the material. I think maybe they just like to play it. Outside of that, there is one tune by Loren Winkler from the Omaha band, Blue House, titled “The Turn.” It’s a good tune to have added to the rest. Good energy.

I was also pleased to hear some variety in the rhythms, material, arrangements and production of this collection. The “Duck” sticks its toes in at the close neighbors of the blues…country, rock and reggae. They have successfully avoided any temptation to jam on endlessly in gratuitous solos, and this 13-track CD moves right along.

A few of the song endings are bit abrupt, and land on a major chord that seems strangely out of it’s neighborhood but this barely detracts from the overall effect.

The concise guitar work of Beebe and the velvet fog vocals of Riley will be obvious to the listener, but they enjoy a solid rhythm section with Van Horne and Luger. Here are just a few of my favorite points:

This recording starts out with the title track, “I Took the Hook”, written by Beebe and Riley. This is a gutsy shuffle. It makes you want to keep listening.

The second track claims that she could bring a “Tear to a Glass Eye.” This one rocks in a way that Stevie Ray fans would enjoy. I’d pick this one as the “hit” track.

The fourth track surprised me with its clever “who, what, where, when, why” lyrics and phrasing in the verses. I was much more hooked by that than the everyman’s title hook, “Rollin’ Low.”

Riley sings Beebe’s song, “End of the Road” like he’s known it all his life. A blue rock ballad. Riley’s smokey vocals deliver the bad news convincingly. “That’s what I’m Talkin’ About” takes us on another musical turn with its reggae leanings, and indicts its subject saying, “with malice aforethought you done me wrong.” No apologies.

Number eleven “Gravedigger” is a sultry 12-bar minor blues. To quote, “You are a gold digger baby now you’re my gravedigger…don’t it figure.”

The final track of this CD is “Mountain Movin’ Mama” about the singer’s git ‘er done gal. It is a great get everybody up to dance song with a bit of the boogie woogie to it.

If you are interested in sampling this album or contacting the band go to the band website at:

http://www.112northduck.com

or the secured Applecopter site:

https://secure.applecopter.com

Beth McBride

The South Sound Blues Association
P.O. Box 26303
Federal Way, WA
98093-3303
www.southsoundblues.com
September 2007 - Beth Mc Bride - Federal Way, WA

I generally like to visit a bands website before starting a review of their CD. More often than not, some valuable information is available which, from time to time, may be worthy of mention in the review. On this particular visit I was hoping to discover a clue as to how the band got their name. Unfortunately, nothing relating to that was found. However, inasmuch as they may not want that to be known, they do want you to know how to say it. You can bet I was relieved to see the phonetic explanation of: Pronunciation: wun-twelv-north-duk. To think, all along I was saying 112 NORTH DUCK.

112 NORTH DUCK'S newest release is titled "I TOOK THE HOOK", and it features eleven outstanding band originals - covering several styles of blues -out of thirteen tracks. The strong group of talented musicians that make up 112 NORTH DUCK are: BRENDAN RILEY, vocals, guitar and percussion; MICHAEL BEEBE, guitar and vocals; BRIAN LUGER, bass; J. E. VAN HORNE, drums.

On one of my particular favorites, it seems that this poor guy has such a vicious woman, doing him enough emotional harm, that she'd have no problem even bringing a "TEAR TO A GLASS EYE". Great lyrics and vocals to go along with the very progressive jam the bands got going. Smokin' rhythm highlights this one.

Some excellent guitar work is to be found on a ballad called "END OF THE ROAD". This being one of the more traditional blues tracks easily makes it another one of my personal favorites. J. E. setting the drums on fire is another of this one's highlights.

I'm sure that at the 112 NORTH DUCK live shows, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" is one of their most popular songs. As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully, you can nearly hear the rowdy crowd singing along with this "Honky-Tonk" like song all the way over here. OK, maybe not, but I'll betcha they do get into it.

Guitar heads will be airing it out to "SOUL OF THE DUCK". This four minute instrumental is all about the guitars - lead and bass.

Country blues is well represented on "THE GAME". This one's hot. When it comes on just stop what yer doin' cause yer not goin' to be able to pay attention to anything else. I guarantee this one will have your fingers snappin', your toes tappin' and your hands slappin'. Good stuff right here.

Having a woman that can't be satisfied can become a serious problem. Especially when she goes from being a gold digger to being your "GRAVEDIGGER". This is good old, low down dirty blues at it's best. Lots of scorching blues guitar licks accompanied by scorching, soulful blues vocals.

Take the sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis smokin' it on "Great Balls of Fire", mix it with Chuck Berry tearin' it up on "Johnny B Goode", add steroids, and you now have "MOUNTAIN MOVIN' MAMA". Need I say more?

Other tracks on "I TOOK THE HOOK" are: "I TOOK THE HOOK", "SHE CAUGHT THE KATY AND LEFT ME A MULE TO RIDE", "ROLLIN' LOW", "THE TURN", "BEHIND THOSE EYES", and "GET AWAY FROM ME".

You can check out 112 NORTH DUCK by going to www.northduck.com, and while you're there, tell them Blewzzman (Pronunciation: Blooze-Man) already told you how to say their name.
October 2007 - Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

I generally like to visit a bands website before starting a review of their CD. More often than not, some valuable information is available which, from time to time, may be worthy of mention in the review. On this particular visit I was hoping to discover a clue as to how the band got their name. Unfortunately, nothing relating to that was found. However, inasmuch as they may not want that to be known, they do want you to know how to say it. You can bet I was relieved to see the phonetic explanation of: Pronunciation: wun-twelv-north-duk. To think, all along I was saying 112 NORTH DUCK.

112 NORTH DUCK'S newest release is titled "I TOOK THE HOOK", and it features eleven outstanding band originals - covering several styles of blues -out of thirteen tracks. The strong group of talented musicians that make up 112 NORTH DUCK are: BRENDAN RILEY, vocals, guitar and percussion; MICHAEL BEEBE, guitar and vocals; BRIAN LUGER, bass; J. E. VAN HORNE, drums.

On one of my particular favorites, it seems that this poor guy has such a vicious woman, doing him enough emotional harm, that she'd have no problem even bringing a "TEAR TO A GLASS EYE". Great lyrics and vocals to go along with the very progressive jam the bands got going. Smokin' rhythm highlights this one.

Some excellent guitar work is to be found on a ballad called "END OF THE ROAD". This being one of the more traditional blues tracks easily makes it another one of my personal favorites. J. E. setting the drums on fire is another of this one's highlights.

I'm sure that at the 112 NORTH DUCK live shows, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" is one of their most popular songs. As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully, you can nearly hear the rowdy crowd singing along with this "Honky-Tonk" like song all the way over here. OK, maybe not, but I'll betcha they do get into it.

Guitar heads will be airing it out to "SOUL OF THE DUCK". This four minute instrumental is all about the guitars - lead and bass.

Country blues is well represented on "THE GAME". This one's hot. When it comes on just stop what yer doin' cause yer not goin' to be able to pay attention to anything else. I guarantee this one will have your fingers snappin', your toes tappin' and your hands slappin'. Good stuff right here.

Having a woman that can't be satisfied can become a serious problem. Especially when she goes from being a gold digger to being your "GRAVEDIGGER". This is good old, low down dirty blues at it's best. Lots of scorching blues guitar licks accompanied by scorching, soulful blues vocals.

Take the sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis smokin' it on "Great Balls of Fire", mix it with Chuck Berry tearin' it up on "Johnny B Goode", add steroids, and you now have "MOUNTAIN MOVIN' MAMA". Need I say more?

Other tracks on "I TOOK THE HOOK" are: "I TOOK THE HOOK", "SHE CAUGHT THE KATY AND LEFT ME A MULE TO RIDE", "ROLLIN' LOW", "THE TURN", "BEHIND THOSE EYES", and "GET AWAY FROM ME".

You can check out 112 NORTH DUCK by going to www.northduck.com, and while you're there, tell them Blewzzman (Pronunciation: Blooze-Man) already told you how to say their name.
October 2007 - Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

13 songs; 46:53 minutes; Excellent

It is my honest opinion that Blues and Booze go together like fireworks and three-fingered roadside stand operators. It probably isn’t politically correct to say so, but some of the best recorded and live music I ever heard (as near as I can remember) were enjoyed in a state of inebriation.

The music on this CD is beer drinking music – the more the better! By the time you get to the 11th song, “Gravedigger”, a slow blues number, one should be staggering, er, dancing a boozy shuffle, with bottle still in hand. “You were a gold digger; now you’re my gravedigger,” the lyrics lament, as poured out by lead singer Brendan Riley in a powerful and slightly gravelly voice. Then the expert guitar solo in the bridge emotively completes the sadness of the tale.

Perhaps I was just in a good mood the first time I played this album, but the blues based Country Rock flavors and soaring guitar work reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd just elevated that mood even more. This is, after all, a guitar driven album without the rehearsed finesse of LS, but with all the heart. There is plenty of tasty slide guitar, clever hooks, and bridges to satisfy. Thankfully absent is one lengthy and ponderous guitar solo after another. Here the songs are concise and to the point – some less than three minutes in length and only four slightly exceed four minutes.

Pronounced “Wun-twelv-north-duk” this Omaha, Nebraska band has been performing since 2004 and is named for “a place where the cowboys would go after many long hard days on the prairie. It’s a place where they could get their fill of rest, relaxation, entertainment, and the always important, female companionship.” While their first CD in 2006 covered classics by Blues greats, this 2007 release has 11 originals. Personnel are: Brendan Riley - vocals, guitar, percussion; Michael Beebe -guitar, vocals; Brian Luger - bass guitar; and J. E. Van Horne – drums.

The opening title track is so catchy, I was singing along with the chorus before the song was over – on the first listen. It opens with a smile inducing, mid-tempo, bomp-a-bump rhythm before Riley sings the first words sounding, at first, like Randy Travis. As the story goes, she put out the bait, and “I Took The Hook, baby.”

More fun: the second track contains the clever metaphor, “Your dirty lovin’ could bring a ‘Tear To A Glass Eye;’” a polished version of a Yank Rachel and Taj Mahal gem, “She Caught The Katy;” and an all out rock and roller to close the album, “Mountain Movin’ Mama.”

This album is too much fun to pass by. Never mind they don’t have a major label promoting them with slick advertisements and national tours. Get the CD, some brews, and friends – it’s party time!
January 2008
- James “Skyy Dobro” Walker

Real Blues Magazine in Victoria, BC Canada has rated our new CD "I Took the Hook" at #14 on their chart of the top 100 blues CDs released worldwide in 2007.
December 2007 - Real Blues Magazine

112 North Duck - Dog at Your Door
Applecopter Records
13 songs; 48:17 minutes; Splendid

Style: Americana, Blues, Rock and Roll, Classic Country

112 North Duck? Why, "They’re an American band / They’re coming to your town / They’ll help you party it down / They’re an American band!" With a nod to song authors Brewer and George of Grand Funk Railroad and apologies for the changes, this song came to mind when I was thinking how to describe this Omaha, Nebraska based band to readers.

Their slogan, "Pronounced wun-twelv-north-duk," is designed for the phonetically challenged (and those appreciative of humor). The boys are much like my friend Tim "Too Slim" Langford of Too Slim & The Taildraggers, they can play Blues when they want. But, they have too much fun playing an eclectic mix of American music to limit themselves to any one genre. The group’s strengths feature an outstanding tenor lead singer, Brendan Riley, and a killer guitar player, Michael Beebe, supported by a solid rhythm section that double as team writers.

The band has been performing since 2004 and is named for "a place where the cowboys would go after many long hard days on the prairie. It’s a place where they could get their fill of rest, relaxation, entertainment, and the always important, female companionship." While their first CD in 2006 covered classics by Blues greats, their notable 2007 release (reviewed for The Blues Blast) had eleven originals. This 2009 release has ten originals by band members and three numbers contributed by friends.

The personnel are the same except bass (Luger is out; Nauman is in): Brendan Riley - vocals, guitar, harmonica; Michael Beebe -guitar, vocals; David George Nauman - bass guitar; and J. E. Van Horne - drums.

Also continued (Thank you) are guitars driving the album. There is plenty of tasty slide guitar, clever hooks, and soloing to satisfy. But, you will not hear guitar wanking, as in one lengthy improvised and ponderous guitar solo after another. Here the songs are concise and to the point - most less than four minutes in length and only three slightly exceed four minutes.

My favorite track is the Bluesy "I Can’t Take Her Home to Mama." The protagonist visits three different locales (Louisiana, France, Maine) and, in each, finds a woman who satisfies, but none are worthy of parental presentation. This song immediately brought back memories of another song with a similar theme, "Trashy Women" by Chris Wall and Jerry Jeff Walker. Except, in "Trashy Women," the narrator did take her "home to Mama" with humorous results, "[They] said, ‘Well, pardon us, son, she ain’t no kid! / That’s a cocktail waitress in a Dolly Parton wig / I said, ‘I know it Dad. Ain’t she cool! That’s the kind I dig!’"

Speaking of clever guitar hooks, the first track’s opener is infectious. Then, at 49 seconds in, the boys nail some great four part harmony as they sing a tribute to a truly good woman. "She’s my lover as well as my best friend...."

For great harmonic slide guitar, give "Unravel" a spin. For train sounding harp and locomotive rhythm, try "This Train." For a slower stomp, "Natural Disaster" simply burns! For dance floor nookie nuzzling, "I’ve Been Dreaming" includes Cully Joyce on a nice saxophone solo.
Full of military cadence rhythm and patriotic spirit, this American band closes the set with the uplifting "All Together You Stand" which, along with the entire album, is dedicated "in honor of all the troops who have sacrificed so much for our country."

By an American band, this CD from the heartland should move from them to your hand. For it, Blues purists will not stand, but it will be grand for any party you’ve planned.

Reviewer James "Skyy Dobro" Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show "Friends of the Blues" can be heard Thursdays from 7 - 8 pm and Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM and at www.wkccradio.org in Kankakee, IL - James

112 North Duck's newest release is titled "I Took The Hook", and it features eleven outstanding band originals - covering several styles of blues and a couple of covers. Some excellent (and concise) guitar work is to be found on this disc and J. E. Van Horne setting the drums on fire is another one of the highlights. Great lyrics (involving collaborative songwriting) and vocals go along with this very progressive jam (though not endless) too. A refreshing variety of tempos, arrangements and production keeps everything interesting, while tinges of country, rock and reggae poke their heads into this particular blues environment. Definitely worth checking out.
December 2007
- Don Madsen - Iowa City, Iowa

Within about 3 seconds of Track #1, you’ll be ‘hooked’ by a sound that is simple but utterly Joy-filled and Joy-inducing. This is such a sweet treat to behold especially in this day-and-age and 112 North Duck have a formula that snags both young and old. Combine tightness, talents and a lead vocalist who has to rank in the 2 who can really sing The Blues, excellent original material and a style that’s evolved from the finest Southern Blues/R&B/R&R influences and you’ve got the basic ingredients for 112 North Duck. Not bad, eh? The Omaha, Nebraska area is home to these guys (and the birthplace/home of Legendary R&B sax man/flautist Preston Love) and glancing at the promo photo one can see that these 4 fellows are veterans. Their song list is also on-display and it’s both impressive and revealing. Anyone who digs (and plays Freddy King, Peter Green, Jimmy Reed, Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters gets my respect. The band members are: Brendan Riley on vocals, guitar, percussion, Michael Beebe on guitar/vocals, Brian Luger on bass and vocals and J.E. Van Horne on drums/vocals.
After the oh-so-tasty opening number, “I Took The Hook” (a tune that should ensnare every Blues Radio DJ and hundreds of C&W DJs as well…) we move into another first-rate original, “Tear To Glass Eye”, a fast and funky Blues Rocker heavy on the guitar power. Great stuff. “She Caught The Katy” is one of just two covers and nicely done (but on my list of songs To RETIRE), oh well. “Rollin’ Low” is a catchy little shuffle with super-fine drumming from Van Horne. “End Of The Road” is, I believe, Michael Beebe’s ballad contribution. “That’s What I’m Talking About” is one of those tunes that’s equal parts Blues, Country and Roots Rock with lyrics that should ensure coverage by a multitude of bands in all 3 camps. “Soul Of The Duck” is an instrumental workout for the guitarists especially. Now we come across a tune that should become an underground classic; “The Game” is the most eloquent paean to Narcotic Addiction I’ve ever come cross and when it ended after 2:34, I was almost upset. If they could’ve added just another 60 seconds even…but still; it is a Dark Masterpiece. “The Turn” is a tough, bar room workout with a nasty attitude and even a wah wah solo. “Behind Those Eyes” (a cover tune from one Loren C. Winkler) is a tough number with some 1970s hard-rockin’ flavor (a la James Gang?) “Gravedigger” is a doomy, gloomy Masterpiece (“You were a gold-digger, now you’re my gravedigger. When we first met I was happy as could be, worst thing that you took was my pride away from me, I can’t look myself in the mirror Lord knows I try…” Wow!) The Gold digger from hell is every man’s greatest Nightmare and for those of us who’ve barely survived the poisonous clutches this tune can evoke shivers. I’m assuming that virtually every musician has his share of Dangerous Women and what better therapy than to compose a killer Blues song on the topic? This is a tune that every Blues musician (and fan) Black or White should hear as it’s the ultimate Tribute to a nasty subject. Totally inspired. “Get Away From Me” is a hot, funky dance-inducer with excellent guitar work. “Mountain Movin’ Mama” is Chuck Berry-styled balls-out rocker that’s guaranteed to close out the gig in fine fashion i.e. stompin’ till the lights come on. I haven’t heard too many bands from the Mid-West but 112 North Duck has me wondering what else is out there for “I Took The Hook” is a mighty fine collection of Blues/Roots nuggets with several tracks deserving to be Hits somewhere. Ideally it’d be nice to see/hear Blues and Country DJs spinning the Heck outta “I Took The Hook”, “That’s What I’m Talkin’ About” and “Behind Those Eyes”, while “Gravedigger” as I’ve already stated, has got what it takes to become a Blues Classic/standard. 112 North Duck has certainly delivered ‘the goods’. 5 Big Bottles of Beer for an album that should kick-the-doors-open for 112 North Duck.
February 2008 - A. Grigg