Review: Kevin & The Blues Groovers 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues'

Kevin & The Blues Groovers ‘

By Mike O’Cull

Kevin & The Blues Groovers put down a potent set of roots music on their new record Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues. Set to be released on July 15th, 2022 by Basin Street Records, the album shines its spotlight on the talents of rapidly emerging vocal and piano star and former American Idol singer Kevin Gullage.

Gullage is a New Orleans native with a big-league voice, top-tier keyboard skills, and a hip, sophisticated style that he’s currently using to romance blues listeners all over the world. The record mixes Kevin’s original songs with some prime classics that get reworked in his own individual way. Although he’s only 23 years old, Gullage is already a seasoned performer and songwriter who sounds right at home in front of his all-pro band.

Gullage was born to a musical family in New Orleans and displayed a great deal of talent at an early age. He began his career as a multi-instrumentalist but concentrated his musical focus on the piano eventually, an instrument that led him to study at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, The Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, and later at Loyola University New Orleans. He has appeared with Grammy winners Blues Traveler at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and has been in a number of films including The Last Laugh starring Chevy Chase and Burning Cane starring Wendell Pierce. His voice was even featured in the 2019 release of Disney’s Lady & The Tramp. He’s a legitimate musical phenomenon with a huge career in front of him who is capable of going head-to-head with the best in the business.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues gets going with the slinky funk of “Shakey Ground.” The Blues Groovers distinguish themselves immediately and have the power to put the hot sauce on every note they play. The group is bassist Tony Gullage (Henry Butler, Dr. John), Hammond B3 player Brandon Adams (Kenny Neal), guitarist Carlton Ross (Glenn David Andrews), saxophonist Roderick Jackson (Kenny Neal), and drummer Mac Carter (Jon Cleary). Add Gullage’s mighty talents into the mix and you get a traffic-stopping band fronted by the best singer in town. His vocals cut through the song’s detailed arrangement and will absolutely pop out of your speakers. Right away, you know this is going to be good.

“Movin’ On” is a beautifully soulful, jazz-blues ballad that tells a breakup story most people will relate to. Gullage states his case emphatically to the one who did him wrong, testifying with what could only be called righteous dissatisfaction. The tune features a slick, jazzy arrangement that adds a lot to its appeal and also contains some smoking guitar work from Chicago bluesman Ronnie Baker Brooks. Gullage is expressive and honestly emotional, delivering his original lyrics with pain and grace.

Brooks pops in again on a rocking cover of Robert Johnson’s eternal “Sweet Home Chicago.” His overdriven tone is a perfect complement to Gullage’s punchy vocals and the horn-and-keyboard arrangement deployed by the band. What makes this track great is the way Kevin and everyone involved fill one of the most-performed songs in the blues with creativity and pure joy. If this one doesn’t make you smile and move, check your pulse.

One of the record’s high points is Gullage’s take on the Amy Winehouse hit “Valerie.” It’s refreshing to hear a blues artist reach this far outside of the genre for a song and to make it work this well. It’s this kind of thinking that will truly keep the blues alive and relevant for future fans. Gullage shines on standards like “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do” and “The Blues Is Alright” as well as on his own songs “So Called Friends of Mine” and “My Baby Gave Me The Blues (feat. Norman Sylvester).” He’s the best young singer you’ll hear this year, hands down. Listen to him once and you’ll be plugged into the future of the blues.

Listen to “Shakey Ground”