The Crossroads Band

The Crossroads Band

Reviewed by Susan Waterworth

I saw The Crossroads Band two weeks ago at the New Orleans and knew I was seeing the most exciting “new” blues band on the scene. The band¹s line-up is Steve Bailey (guitar, harp, vocals), Mark Dalton (bass), Dennis Ellis (sax and vocals), Alan Isaacson (drums) and Pat McFarland (guitar and vocals). Their set was rehearsed, their songs arranged, and their playing inspired. The CD they have recently released is a stellar teaser for their live shows, and definitely a teaser worth having.

The Crossroads Band has had several incarnations in its relatively short life; we are fortunate that the incarnation here includes the late Dave Conant. Indeed my only complaint about this CD is that there are not more of Conant’s tracks here; hopefully the band will release them at a future date. It’s impossible to review this CD a year after Dave’s death and not stop to think of him, and to contemplate the huge hole his passing has left. Several band members agree that their favorite cut on the CD is Conant’s version of Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry.” Bassist Dalton says, “this was so clearly Dave's swan song as we worked our way through his last days on stage - the passion he poured into this tune was remarkable... ‘the wintertime is coming, windows are filled with frost - I went to tell everybody, but I could not get across...’.” Steve Bailey had not worked with Dave before joining the band. “It was great to finally get to know Dave. He was like a folk treasure. He was one of the only guys you’d ever meet who could do a country gig, a blues gig, [or] a rock gig and know what he was doing in every genre. He was over here recording before he died and he knew he was going to die, but never said a word. He talked about music being a healing thing. It was really powerful being around him.” Singer and sax player Dennis Ellis remembers Dave’s set with the late Isaac Scott at the WBS First Avenue Reunion last year just before they both passed. “I was thinking that I should get going home ‘cause I had to work in the morning. I went back to the Tractor to get my horn and when I walked in Dave was back up on stage with Isaac. I literally felt a chill go down my spine when I heard him playing and singing. I knew there was no way I could leave and miss what was going on. It was a feeling I used to get years ago when spending what I thought would just be an early night at a club catching the first set of people like Albert or Freddie King. I would get that chill and the next morning’s responsibilities would be forgotten. Dave could do that, make me forget about everything but here and now. My favorite cut on the CD is ‘It takes a Train.’ We'd ask him to play it every night. He may not have been able to buy a thrill but he was sure generous at handing them out.”

Fortunately Mr. Ellis and the rest of the crew are equally generous. There’s an embarrassment of riches on display on this recording, from the fine musicianship of all concerned (including former drummer, the inimitable Kirk “KT” Tuttle) to Bailey’s fine songwriting. The covers are all superb choices including Willie Dixon¹s “300 Lbs. Of Joy” and Bailey’s stirring rendition of Floyd Jones” “You Can¹t Live Long.” Pat McFarland”s performance on “Mammer Jammer” reminds us what a melodious singer and incredible guitarist he is ­ live this song brought the house down, as did Bailey’s slide guitar and harmonica pyrotechnics out in the audience, and Ellis’ consistently juicy horn lines.

Fate is a strange creature; Isaacson and McFarland, who drives to and from Bellingham to rehearse, joined this band when two of our favorites left us. Their presence has added a new dimension to this band, which is really only beginning to realize it’s potential, according to Dalton (this portends an awesome future). Isaacson joined after his former bandleader Mark DuFresne left us for Roomful of Blues. McFarland joined the band after coming to town to mourn the loss of guitarist Conant. We feel these losses profoundly, but this CD and this band are about joyful living, and I know Dave for one wouldn’t have it any other way.