Nick Curran Doctor Velvet CD

Nick Curran & The Nitelifes: Nick Curran (vocals, guitar); Gary Primich (harmonica); Matt Farrell (piano); Rev. Murph Motycka (tenor & baritone saxophone); Joe Morales (tenor saxophone); Matt Farrell (piano); Eric Mathew Przygocki (string & Fender bass); Damien Llanes (drums); Mike Barfield, Rachel Fenton, Caroline Gnagey, Bobby Horton (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Jimmie Vaughan (guitar).
Recorded at Fort Horton Studios, Austin, Texas.
Personnel: Nick Curran (vocals, guitar); Jimmie Vaughan (guitar); Gary Primich (harmonica); Joe Morales (tenor saxophone); Damien Llanes (drums); Mike Barfield, Rachel Fenton, Bobby Horton (background vocals).
Recording information: Fort Horton Studios, Austin, TX.
Photographer: George Brainard.
Fevered anticipation surrounded the recording of roots music phenomenon Nick Curran's third album and debut for Blind Pig Records. Attaching himself to such a pinnacle of mainstream blues as Blind Pig seemed at first a mixed blessing. While it affords the ex-rockabilly twanger greater visibility on a reputable blues label, it nonetheless raised the fear that he may have been attempting some type of ill-advised commercial crossover. One listen to Doctor Velvet, though, and such fears melt away into pure joy. Perhaps "purist" joy would be more apt, as Curran continues on his time-traveling blues odyssey. Having already proven himself as the most worthy heir to the Texas blues throne -- or at least Guitar Slim reincarnate -- Doctor Velvet finds the guitarist/vocalist channeling the spirits of Albert King, Freddy King and Otis Rush in one long, funky burst of late-'50s and early-'60s go-go blues ectoplasm. From the inspired reworking of garage rock icons the Sonics' "Shot Down" to the Louis Prima-meets-Fats Domino vocals on "Don't Be Angry," Curran has deftly expanded his vision. Throw in a cameo appearance by Jimmie Vaughan on two tracks and Doctor Velvet packs some serious blues mojo. The "State of Texas" sunglasses Curran sports on the CD cover are merely an exclamation point. ~ Matt CollarLiving Blues (6/03, p.66) - "...Armed with a gruff voice and bright-sounding hollow-bodied Gibson, Curran sounds more authentic than any of the other dozen-or-so jump blues revivalists currently on the scene. He's a true enthusiast..."
Mojo (Publisher) (3/03, p.110) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A fresh, young and accomplished retro band from Austin, Texas..."