Ever since the early days of this century, when dirt poor delta men would set up with a cigar box and a cheap old guitar and holler out simple songs of pain, sex, liquor, losing and a hard life, the blues has been viewed as the music of a darker reality. "The Devil's Music" they used to call it. Since then it has developed and evolved but still it's never moved into the gentle mainstream of safer middle american music.

Well, the blues has really gone and done it this time.

Rising out of the underworld of aggressive urban rock and raw funk is a new strain of blues that's wilder, louder, more visceral and wearing a hell of a lot more brass. Blending traditional blues primitive structure and feel to the new tonality, power and out of control creative adventure of today's music is a new blues that has lifted it's head and will now have to be reckoned with.

Standing squarely on the front edge of this new reality is singer, guitarist Rick Carroll. This New York born power performer has been developing this new blues for years in such acts as NY's W. Albany St. Blues Band, Charleston SC's Meteors and New England's notorious Automatic Slim. Even though just outside traditional blues' comfort zone, Rick has always touched people with a feel, a glimpse as to where the blues could eventually move. Now, he's decided to lay it all out to full view in his newest project . . .

Wicked Blue

Rick Carroll & Wicked Blue are Dave Lemay on the eclectic electric bass, Deb Blackadar on the very aggressive "This ain't the blues" drums, and Rick Carroll channeling other-world inspiration through rough-hewn vocals and unbelievable guitar histrionics.

The music is big, bold, loud and definitely it's very own thing. It's not for the blues purists or anyone trying to confine the blues or turn the blues into a dusty museum piece. This is music for today's younger blues lover. One that wants to feel that cool blue groove but with a new freedom and vitality. A blues lover seeking a new blues alternative.

Rick Carroll & Wicked Blue

... like the ad man says";
Baby! This just ain't your father's Oldsmobile!"