Blues trios have had a tremendous challenge to gather any fame and notoriety since the inception of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble over 25 years ago. Their success, built around Vaughan’s unreal skills on the guitar, proved that you don’t have to assemble a team of players to establish yourself in the upper legions of blues bands.

Make way for the BlueHouse Band out of south Florida. Not only does this band continue the tradition but in the very first song, "Dynomite," on their debut release Who’s In The House? (Bekam Records), Stevie Ray is mentioned showing the band’s understanding of what came before to pave the way.

As did Stevie Ray and Double Trouble, BlueHouse Band's powerful blues comes from the strength of lead guitarist and slide player Alter (Robbie Alter) backed with the intricate bass thumping of Richie Goldman
and the thundering drums of Bobby “ BBG” Goldman. Alter perfected his licks by being a member of that great ’70s blues-rock outfit, Foghat. Always considered in my estimation as the unheard member of the band, engineer and mixer Bryan Bassett does an exemplary job bringing this band to life considering the rep these boys have formed all throughout Florida as one hell of a live band. Bassett understands this band and is successful in bringing their “live” sound to the boards. Fortunately, in this case Bassett does show up as a real player adding a tasty slide solo to the tune "Baby, Baby."

BlueHouse Band runs the gamut of the blues from jump blues, on a song appropriately titled "Jumpin’" to the gutbucket feel in "Baby, Baby" to a unique version of the blues where Goldman, the song's composer, trades in his skins for a pair of spoons on (here we go with appropriately titled songs again) "Won’t Forget My Spoons" along with a soaring slide solo from Alter.

At the beginning of "Bluesman Tim," Alter makes reference to the movie version of the Wizard of Oz’s "Over The Rainbow" with a beautiful slide rendition, then quietly breaking into a song about what blues musicians can expect in the great beyond. This gospel-based tune features the Mount Bethel Music Ministry Choir who halfway through turn up the heat and lead us through a rousing church anthem begging all of us to meet up with Bluesman Tim for a kicking party in the heavens. The only female presence here is strongly felt on "Gimme The News," where a very capable Holly Doherty provides lead and harmony vocals. Speaking about harmony these three guys truly have mastered their intertwining voices all throughout this disc which this CD more delightful to listen to.

All tunes were written by either Alter or Goldman (or both), which makes Who’s In The House my favorite original release this year. Most unknown bands usually throw in some remakes or standards to get some recognition. Not this band. This shows their writing strength as well, which will lead this band down the road to success.

For a rollicking good time with the blues, check out the BlueHouse Band on the debut Who’s In The House? Go to www.bluehouseband.com to buy the CD or to check out upcoming live appearances, especially if you live in south Florida or may be visiting. Enjoy.

--- Bruce Coen