Steve Krase

Should’ve Seen It Coming

Connor Ray Music

Steve Krase got his education playing harp with Jerry Lightfoot and The Essentials. In 2004 he formed his own band, “Steve Krase & The In Crowd”, and they won the award for Houston’s Best Unsigned Blues Band. The following year “The In Crowd” released their only album “Easy Livin”.

Krase released his solo debut “Some Day” in 2013. Around the same time he formed his own label Connor Ray Music and followed up with his sophomore recording 2014’s “Buckle Up”.

The band on this album includes Krase, harmonica and vocals; David Carter, guitar and background vocals; Randy Wall, piano and organ; Alisha Pattillo, sax; Rock Romano, bass and background vocals; James Gilmer, percussion; and Richard Cholakian, drums. Guesting are Connor Ray label mates blues diva Trudy Lynn, guitarist Bob Lanza, and guitarist Mark May. The album is co-produced by Krase and Romano. It was recorded at Romano’s Red Shack Recording Studio in Houston, Texas.

The opening track is the first of four new songs. “Brand New Thang” is contributed by co-producer Romano. Carter’s guitar sets up Krase’s harp solo before he takes one of his own.

“The World’s Still In A Tangle” is a great song from Krase “I’m going to build myself  a bunker and move down into the ground, when I come up again they’ll be no zombie’s around”; Wall solos on piano.

Included are also two songs written by Krase’s brother David. David contributes several songs on each of Steve’s albums. On the title track,“Should’ve Seen It Coming”, Krase sings through the harp mike. Krase wails on his harp before he is joined by Wall and Carter. Pattillo’s sax and Gilmer’s percussion help complete the production. The other song by David is “Repo Man”, “the repo man has Donald Trump on his side”; Petrillo’s sax and the backing vocalists complete this one. Alternative takes of these two songs featuring explicit lyrics are included at the end of the album.

Selected covers include “Crazy For My Baby” written and recorded by Willie Dixon in 1955. This is another good vocal and harp performance by Krase. Carter and Romano become backing singers as they are joined by Lynn.

Fat’s Domino’s “Let The Four Winds Blow” was the title track to his 1961 album on Imperial Records. Krase’s version is another strong vocal.

“Shot of Rhythm and Blues” written by Terry Thompson was first recorded by Arthur Alexander in 1961. Krase gets that high reedy sound on his harp. Wall switches to organ. The backing singers complete the sound.

“Travelin’ Mood” from Wee Willie Waynes was first recorded on his 1961 Imperial Records album of the same name. The rhythm section of Cholakian and Romano help to drive this one. Krase’s harp is chooglin’ down the road.

“Troubles, Troubles” was written by Clarence “Frogman” Henry and the B side to his 1956 hit “Ain’t Got No Home”. “I got troubles with the rent, I got troubles with my wife”. Wall tickles those ivories.

Jerry Lightfoot’s “Make You Love Me Baby” again features Krase’s high reedy sound, Wall’s piano, and the backing vocalists.

 “Way Back Home” is an instrumental credited to saxophonist Wilton Felder who first recorded it with The Crusaders in 1973. Krase’s harp playing is beautiful.

There are enough musical surprises here to please anyone. Krase proves himself a great bandleader. This is Krase’s best to date.

Richard Ludmerer

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