Nothin' But Trouble has "One Trouble After Another"

The band that the Blues Society of Western Pa. sent to the International Blues Challenge in 2008 -- Nothin' But Trouble -- has a new CD, "One Trouble After Another," and it sounds like the guys have been not only licking, but practicing, their chops.

This album stretches them out a little, with some gospel, some acoustic blues, and some thoughtful blues ballads, mostly originals. They open the CD with a traditionally down-and-dirty blues shuffle rich in guitar and double entendre,  "Maintenance Man" (... I'll fix anything you got).

After another romp through "Dear Old Dad," they get thoughtfully bluesy with "Dead End Street," and then turn out a fine little thing called "Gone, Gone, Gone," with what sounds like a lap steel at work and kind of a country blues flavor. Very tasty. Here's an audio clip of "Gone, Gone, Gone":

Later there's a slow blues scorcher with big fat blue notes from David Stromberg in a Stromberg tune called "This Month." They do a nice cover of the chestnut "Blues is My Business," and there's a very nice instrumental acoustic slide number with a tuba in the background titled "Sliding Home." Here's an audio sample of "Sliding Home":

Just before they close with another instrumental, the elegantly played "Hanna," they cut loose with one of the songs that helped them collect the BSWPA victory a couple of years ago -- an a cappella but still electric version of the traditional "John the Revelator."

This is a nice album from the guys from Magnolia, Del., and maybe they'll get back to the Burgh soon to show it off.

Posted Oct 27 2009, 01:00 AM by Jim White
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Comments

BLUZER wrote re: Nothin' But Trouble has "One Trouble After Another"
on Tue, Oct 27 2009 10:20 AM

Will somebody please explain to me why the Blues Society Of WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA chose to enter a band into the International Blues Challenge from EASTERN MARYLAND. To me, it kind of says that there isn't a band in Western Pa. that they felt was worthy. That's sad.

When was the last time 'Nothin' But Trouble' even played a gig in Pittsburgh. According to their website they currently don't have any gigs scheduled even close to this area.

jim franciscus wrote re: Nothin' But Trouble has "One Trouble After Another"
on Tue, Oct 27 2009 4:12 PM

Bluzer, as former VP and current treasurer of the BSWPA I'd be happy to answer your question. We didn't choose to enter Nothin' But Trouble into the IBC, they won the right in our local 2007 competition. Our competition is judged by a pool of people from several different backgrounds who have in-depth knowledge of the blues. They are in no way members of the BSWPA Board or affiliated with our organization in any way. Several out of town bands were given the chance to enter our competition because as the show date approached in 2007 only a handful of local bands had entered. Rather than cancel the show, which is our biggest fundraiser, we chose to open the competion up to the out of state bands. It turned out to be a great thing for the BSWPA and for local music fans. We now have a diverse group of talent in our competion. Everyone who has attended both the 2007 and 2008 shows has indicated that they are the best we've ever had. The out-of-state bands are 1st rate and cause our local bands to really step up their game for our IBC. And that makes for a better show for local music fans as well. Coincidentally, Nothin But Trouble's bassist is a McKeesport native. They performed on the 2nd stage at the 2008 Pittsburgh Blues Festival. I'm sure that they would love to come back and perform in Pittsburgh again if they were given the opportunity. Hopefully some local venue owner will bring them back for the right price.

jim franciscus wrote re: Nothin' But Trouble has "One Trouble After Another"
on Tue, Oct 27 2009 4:27 PM

Also, I'd like to add that bands traveling to other areas to compete in their local IBC is a common practice. Ms. Freddie and Blue Faze and Billy The Kid & the Regulators are 2 local bands who have represented the West Virginia Blues Society in the IBC in Memphis in past years. Many other local bands have entered competitions in W. Va.,  Ohio, New York, Maryland and Eastern Pa. The BSWPA just sort of caught up with the times I suppose in 2007 by opening up our competition.

Jim White wrote re: Nothin' But Trouble has "One Trouble After Another"
on Tue, Oct 27 2009 8:52 PM

Just a footnote here for Bluzer.

We pretty much hashed this out at the time of the IBCs, when Nothin' But Trouble won. There were a few people who then asked the same question you ask now.

But as Jim says, if you look at the IBC competition lineups, you'll see that regional bands can and do move around to different blues societies. I think it helps keep fresh music in the mix and steps up the competition.

Sure, it would be nice if the BSWPA could send a local band each year, but the pool of those interested isn't all that large.

And besides their blues festival appearance here, Trouble was booked into Moondog's for a show after their win. (See the BlueNotes archives for details...!)