Keeshea Pratt Band

Believe

Independent

The Keesha Pratt Band finished first in the band competition at the 2018 International Blues Challenge. The eight piece band is that rare collective that can perform both traditional “old school” blues or more contemporary styles. The core band is Keesha Pratt, lead and background vocals; Shawn Allen, piano, organ and bass; Nick Fishman, drums; and Chris “Kid” Andersen, guitar. They are assisted by two different horn sections and several other fine guitarists, and keyboardists.

All of the songs are written or co-written by Allen. The KPB opens with “Make It Good” written with guitarist Joshua Cook who is sitting in. Tommy Folen is on bass. The horn section includes Charlie Gurke, baritone sax and arrangements; Ken Moran, tenor saxophone; and Henry Hung, trumpet. “You know the place, you know the time, let’s open up a bottle of wine…Oh baby please come close to me, you know there is nothing I’d rather do, than anything to make it good for you”; this is beautifully sung by Pratt. The same horn section appears on three more tracks: “It’s Too Late” with another great arrangement; and a different attitude “you gotta’ hurry up and go”… your outta chances, it’s time for you to move on”. Colin Hogan is on piano while Allen plays organ. On “Easily Replaced” Bob Welsh is on guitar while Gurke takes a fabulous sax solo. On the funky “Out of My Mind” Andersen lays down some great rhythm guitar and sets up solos by saxophonist Gurke, organist Hogan, and bassist Tommy Folen.

The title track, “Believe”, features the other horn section of James Williams, trumpet and arrangements; Japanese trumpeter Misaki Nishidate, and saxophonist Dan Alexander.  Andersen plays some great slide before Pratt recites a narrative she learned as a little girl “I know I can…I think I can”, she now sings “I believe I can”. This section is also featured on the New Orleans styled “Shake Off These Blues” with terrific twin trumpets and a great sax solo from Alexander; and again on four more originals.

On “Home To Mississippi” the horns are replaced by harpist Lil’ Terry Rogers; The Mighty Orq is featured on guitar. “Can’t Stop Now” features guitarists Brian Sowell and Corey Stoot, and drummer Marvan Alexander.

Keesha Pratt and her band are just fabulous on this debut recording.

Richard Ludmerer

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