Tommy Keys "Side Street Boogie"
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, © July, 2007
Mary4music.com

Naming his newest release "SIDE STREET BOOGIE", is TOMMY KEYS' way of paying tribute to all of the so called "off the beaten path" nightclubs, juke joints, barrelhouses and theaters. The ones you find down the side streets and alleyways of the inner city. There, is where TOMMY feels art and music are at their raw best.
Interestingly enough, I was able to relate to TOMMY'S thoughts on that matter as I listened to the boogie woogie music on the opening track. I was immediately reminded of a day, many years ago, when I was exploring the side streets in New Orleans. It was down one of those alleyways where I discovered an obscure "hole in the wall" where the Legendary "Al Broussard" was working his magic on no more than a hand full of very happy listeners. That afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip, and recalling it makes me understand exactly how TOMMY feels.
On "SIDE STREET BOOGIE", TOMMY KEYS plays the piano, harmonica, bass, drums and percussion, and he sings all the songs, of which half of them are TOMMY KEYS originals. Damn Tommy, make a guy envious - why dontcha? On three tracks he's joined by KEN "THE ROCKET" KORB on harmonica, AL HENNEBORN on drums, MIRANDA GATEWOOD on bass, and MIKE DE LUCA on pedal steel.
On "RUM BOOGIE WOOGIE", you can forget about all those other things TOMMY'S playin' - this one's all about him and his piano. If large doses of robust barrelhouse blues get you moving, then clear the dance floor 'cause here you come. On this track, TOMMY'S puttin' out some of his best stuff.....vocally and instrumentally.
TOMMY'S expertise on the harp has "SINGING THE BLUES" sounding like some good ole Chicago Blues. One of TOMMY'S inspirations - Pinetop Perkins - is clearly in his thoughts on this one. This is the one and only track that features AL HENNEBORN and MIRANDA GATEWOOD, and they provide an excellent groove on rhythm.
"LAZY DAY BLUES", and "BLUEMOONRIVER" are two tracks that are pure listening pleasure. The first one being an instrumental which just kinda pushes you back in your chair, makes you close your eyes and before you know it, you're seeing TOMMY'S hands softly and precisely pressing every key. The second one has a very similar effect with the extra added pleasure of hearing TOMMY'S exceptional voice perfectly sing this song.
A disc of this nature just couldn't have been produced without including "WHEN THE SAINT'S COME MARCHING IN". You can actually hear the fun you know TOMMY's having playing this one.
Another very well done ballad is "A SONG FOR YOU" which once again features TOMMY'S amazing voice. Adding to this one's highlights are the wonderful sound that MIKE DE LUCA produces on the pedal steel. Hearing more of MIKE could make me a fan of an instrument I've never quite been all that fond of. This is good stuff.
Other tracks on "SIDE STREET BOOGIE" include "HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE", "OH MARIE", "BOOGIE MAN", "ALL MY LIFE", "FOUR UNTIL LATE" and "EARLY IN THE MORNING".
New Yorkers and Long Islanders - or as those of us from there may say, "Nu Yawkers and Lawng Eyelanders" - are more likely to see TOMMY than the rest of the world, but you can all check him out at www.tommykeys.com. While you're there, make yourself happy and pick up a copy of "SIDE STREET BOOGIE". Make me happy as well by telling TOMMY that Pete the Blewzzman - from Hicksville L.I. sent ya.

Side Street Boogie-Tommy Keys
Dr. Blues, President - Long Island Blues Society 6/29/07        

The long awaited Keys oeuvre is finally here.  It is the key in ebony and ivory. The disk listens like a jukebox of piano history and stylings.  Tommy delivers on all 88 as various cities with piano influences are explored.  Of course, there's some good old backbeat NOLA and soulful Memphis but there's also the gutbucket Sunnyland and Spann of Chicago's Southside and even a touch of Basie's blues as found in Kansas City.  Boogie from St. Louis isn't neglected, either.  Tommy has demonstrated a fine hand at songwriting on this compilation.  The energy level is high and the good times are flowing as Keys tickles the ivories. Twelve cuts rock the joint with 6 being originals.  Tommy shouts like he means it and his lyrics say it clear, from love to a government that's lost.  The fun is joined and enlarged by several guests. Ken 'the Rocket' Korb lays down some heart wrenching harmonica on “From Four Until Late”.  Tommy talks about no $ but the joy felt as long as he’s sitting there playing the blues.  Members of the Keys band consisting of  Al Henneborn and Miranda Gatewood take this from solo piano to a band sound on “Singing the Blues.”  The action churns in Huey Piano Smith’s “High Blood Pressure”.  Keys blows some good harp, low, mournful and slow, too, as well as multi-tracking much other instrumentation.  An interpretation of “When the Saints Go Marching In” bounces and his left hand anchors like bedrock while the right is flying around the upper keys.  Closing with a soulful ballad that echoes from his soul, “A Song For You” is as likely written about a certain individual as about all of his legions of fans.  Sweet.