Blair Crimmins & The Hookers

I am dumbfounded after hearing Blair Crimmins’ EP, given to me by the editor of RFR. You have to understand that I was handed a small stack of disks to peruse. I went home and flipped through the stack and was drawn to an E.P entitled “Meet the Hookers” by Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. It sounded incredible, and I couldn’t wait to listen to the entire disk. The next day I was eating breakfast with a good friend of mine and he says, “You got to hear this guy Blair Crimmins”. I think you all may see the pattern going on here. It turns out a friend of his, and an acquaintance of mine, recorded the EP. I run home and sure enough the disk says it’s mixed and recorded by Chris Unck; who’s music I also like. I can’t believe what I have heard several times now. This man has taken me back to the first conceptions of rocking and rolling. A time when jazz crazy people of the 30’s swung into a big band room. I’m talking about early stuff like Count Basie, Etta James, and early Ray Charles; into later music such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, or Elton John.

When listening to the first song, “March of the Hookers” I was blown away by the piano and the swing beat drums. I just love an off-timey beat, with big symbol crashes, and a hard bass drum kick. I just pictured a big band room with mobsters sitting around enjoying Duke Ellington. I almost thought I was in a movie. The EP keeps pace with the song. The vocals are incredible! That also equals a good record; I mean this kid has pipes. I almost think he could sing in a serious theatre production if he wanted to. I love his little ukulele and slide guitar love song, “Without You”. I am reminded of a nice beach front hideaway, and fifties surf. Without giving the entire record away, it later takes us to a song that sounds like he uses wash boards and a string bass to make. You ask, how good can that sound on record? All I can say is total brilliance and creativity. It’s like an old New Orleans marching band coming down the street, with the jazz horns and eurhythmic hand clapping. He finishes the EP on the song I think is his best vocal performance. He hits tones I didn’t he think he had. I stand corrected! This guy has something to say and he does it with some soul. It sounds like it’s poured out all over “Long Walk Home”.


All I can say is go see this show. I can’t wait for my first Blair Crimmins show. I want to figure out who plays with him. I want to know everything about this band. How do they pull this off live? The record sounds so good I visualize the music and different scenes sung out in perfect tone. I’m sure it all fits together live. I hope I’m right on with the feeling and attitude I get from this E.P., because I’d like to ask these questions in an interview. - Benjamin King

www.rockfistreviews.com

"With a smile and a glint in his eye, Blair Crimmins entices listeners into his world.  Songs jump with a 1920's gaudiness, reminiscent of tawdry, dangerous jazz.  A multi-instrumentalist, he delivers off-kilter piano lines and rapid guitar strum, but tenor banjo, ukulele and accordion aren't out of the question.  While devious lyrics can mirror the sinister Charlestons they accompany, Crimmins also has a grab bag of unjaded torch songs at his disposal, spotlighting the loneliness of a life spent in the shadows." - Independent Weekly, NC 5/20/09

From beginning to end, my trek through North Carolina was full of great venues and hospitable people.  I'd like to give special thanks to everyone in Chapel Hill who came to The Cave on my birthday.  I felt very much at home, especially after numerous birthday shots of tequila. 

Other great venues included:

The Town Pump Tavern in Black Mountain (Dog friendly environment was much appreciated)

The Evening Muse in Charlotte (The most attentive audience award)

The Juggling Gypsy in Wilmington (The best Hookah bar in Wilmington)

The Tipsy Teapot in Greenville (Thanks for filming and starting the fan club)