We are talking with singer, songwriter, guitarist Rick Carroll about a new act he has createdÑWicked Blue.

The setting is a booth of a local club an hour after last call on what you'd have to say was a good night for the band...

Q...So Rick, you have played in original Blues-based acts such as Second Shift, Uptown Dirt and Satchel Chase as well as straight-up Blues bands like New York's West Albany Street Blues Band, Charleston's Meteors and most recently New England's Automatic Slim, what is it that sets this new actÑWicked BlueÑapart from what you've already done?

Rick...Well the focus is different. This act is not trying to fit into an established "Blues" mold nor is it doing the Blues/Rock thing either. It's a Blues bandÐdefinitely a Blues bandÐbut the way it sees the Blues and interprets them is very unique. I feel this is due to the fact that my rhythm section and side players have not been Blues players. Their influences have definitely colored the arrangements and the way the music is presented in this act.

Q...Who is in the line up?

Rick...We've got the three piece going here; bass, drums & guitarÑvery lean, very aggressive. I like the edge that a stripped-down, power-trio has. Also, there's a lot of freedom to let a song evolve naturally, even on the spur of the moment. You need really good foundation players for that.

Q...Yeah, that sort of thing can get dicey.

Rick...Oh yeah...Major train wreck...Yikes! So anyway, I hooked up with bassist, Dave Lemay, at the beginning of Wicked Blue. The combination of my heavy right handed, percussive style and his fluid, melodic and yet very funky playing set this product immediately in a very singular direction. He's not a 1.4.5 walking-bass-line player. He can do it, but he just doesn't work from that premise. He'll find a totally unique internal melody and start from there. It really puts a dynamic into the arrangements that opens a lot of possibilities to me as a vocalistÑtaking me often far away from the usual pentatonic based thing. Back in the early 90's we put together Automatic Slim, so we've gotten to be quite comfortable with each other's very different, yet sympathetic styles.

Q...And on drums we have...

Rick...Yeah, this is where it all starts getting real big. I'm a very loud, aggressive player. If I don't have a drummer that can at least match me, it can sound very uneven. We went through a lot of searching before we finally found Milton, MA's, Deb Blackadar. She's a real kick-ass, rock-style power drummer. Definitely not your usual Blues player. Her background is diverse and she brings all those elements, as well as a "big stage" approach, to what we're doing. She backs me up on vocals as well, which opens a lot of arrangement possibilities to me. Between Dave's very intelligent bass structure and Deb's powerful, rock-solid drums, I've got a great place to start and a real fun place to be during a show.

Q...It sounds like you really have thought a lot about this and about what type of players will add to what you're creating.

Rick...YeahÉand it's still evolving. Even over just the last six months, I can easily hear the difference. I guess it's just Blues with no boundaries. Of course we still have some fairly normal sounding Blues in the show too. I love the Blues. I don't want to let that go. I just like to wander and see where my wandering takes me. I love modern, heavy, almost chaotic sounds as well. There has to be room for it all. Wicked Blue is my vehicle to see how it all can make sense together.

Q...Well, I have seen some of what you have accomplished so far and it is very exciting. I believe that it is something that will get noticed. I wish you a lot of success and look forward to seeing what is ahead. Thank you for your time.

Rick...Hey...Thanks for your interest.