What People Are Saying

CD Review By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © April 2014

Although the namesakes are both long time veterans of the music scene, "All In The Numbers" is the duo's debut CD. The team of Allen and Lamun are Dave Allen on vocals, harmonica, guitars, drums & percussion and Laura Lamun on vocals. The rest of the band consists of: Willie Samuelson on a whole lot of basses; Steve Boynton on electric guitars; Paul Potyen on Hammond B-3; and Kenyon Brenner a.k.a The KB Horns on tenor sax. The disc contains twelve tracks of which eight are band originals.

"All In The Numbers" opens with an original track called "Delta Dream" and it's sort of an updated version of the classic "Crossroads Blues". Basically, Dave and Laura want to head down to the Delta where they hope to meet Riley B. King, play a little place in Clarksdale, get themselves a mojo hand and bury the devil alive in the blues. It seems that doing those things will earn them their bluesman's shoes. From what I'm hearing, they're already wearing those shoes and they sound like a perfect fit. Fun and well sung lyrics, good harp leads and B3 led rhythm all highlight this one.

"Never Know Blues" is this disc's track where everyone is on top of their game. On this smoker Laura's vocals are her most dynamic, Dave, Willie and Paul are rockin' the rhythm on drums, bass and the Hammond organ and Steve's tearing it up on lead guitar. Good one.

"Too Blue Not to Come Back Home" is the kind of stuff I can listen to all night long. It's an old style jazzy blues ballad that by just closing your eyes can cause you to transcend to an intimate little club with a crammed dance floor where other than hearing the band you'd actually hear a pin drop. Oh man, I wanna go right now. Soft steady rhythm led by Paul on the B3, very steamy sax leads by Kenyon and compelling vocals by Laura all make this one of the disc's best tracks.
Being a huge fan of Dinah Washington, and other good female vocalists in general, I've always enjoyed just about any rendition I've ever heard of "Long John Blues." This time it's Laura Lamun and she's nailing it. With it's risque lyrics the song's best sung in a sassy and sultry way and from the sound of it, Laura's obviously enjoyed her visits to the dentist. Soothing and relaxed rhythm provide the perfect background and a few well placed guitar leads by Steve add some extra heat.

"Living with that woman feels like I'm riding on a "Tiltawhirl." Well said Dave, excluding me (because my wife reads these reviews), I'm sure there are many men out there who can relate to that statement. This one's pretty much all Dave Allen. With Willie giving him some bottom and Laura backing up his vocals, he's your basic one man band singin', strummin', drummin' and blowin' harp and doing a damn good job on 'em all.

Closing out the disc is a jamming version of a very familiar song - "Every Day I Have The Blues." This one's short and sweet. At just over two minutes it may be short in length, but with everyone wailing away it sure sounds sweet.

Other tracks on "All In The Numbers" include: "Gasoline & Matches," "All In The Numbers," "World's Getting Closer To Home," "Conversation Song," "Better Off With The Blues," and "Everyday Funk."

To get to know more about the Allen-Lamun Band, hear the songs and maybe even buy the disc just go to www.allenlamunband.com. As usual, please tell them the Blewzzman sent you.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 Keeping The Blues Alive Award Recipient


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