Altered Five Blues Band

Ten Thousand Watts

Blind Pig Records

The Milwaukee based Altered Five Blues Band was formed in 2002. They released their debut cover album “Bluesified” in 2008. Their 2012 all original recording “Gotta Earn It” received a rave write-up in Downbeat Magazine. Their third album “Cryin Mercy” won the award for the Best-Self Produced CD at the 2015 International Blues Challenge and received two Blues Blast nominations. “Charmed and Dangerous” their, 2018 Blues Music Award nominated, fourth album was produced by Tom Hambridge and reached #1 on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Album Chart. Since 2012 they have recorded only original material.

The Altered Five includes Jeff “JT” Taylor, vocals; Jeff Schroedl, guitar; Raymond Tevich, keyboards; Mark Solveson, bass; and Alan Arber, drums and percussion. Schroedl is the primary songwriter having written or co-written every song; eight of them with Taylor. The album is once again produced by Hambridge.

The opening track and first to receive airplay, “Right On, Right On”, was written by the band and features Taylor’s robust vocal and a fabulous guitar solo from Schroedl. Also from the band is “Let Me Be Gone” with the lyric “don’t come lookin’ for me”. On these, special guest Steve Cohen is featured on harmonica.

“She mad, ‘To Mad To Make Up”, is from Schroedl “all the sorrys I can say, won’t be enough”. The other song currently receiving airplay is “Great Minds Drink Alike” also from Schroedl, “me and my baby, having a damn good night”.

The title track, co-authored with Taylor, features him singing “I have the power Ten Thousand Watts”. Also from this writing duo is the New Orleans flavored “Sweet Marie” with some fabulous Professor Longhair styled piano from Tevich.

“Mischief Man” was written by Schroedl and Taylor with drummer Arber; “I like Alcohol and Al Capone…I’m a Mischief Man, baby …don’t do what I do”. The three of them also contribute the humorous “I Hate To Leave You (With a 6-Pack in the Fridge)”.

“Don’t Rock My Blues” is a sentimental tune from Schroedl, Taylor and bassist Solveson. Solveson and Arber are a fabulous rhythm section.

This is a great new album from The Altered Five Blues Band; each track worthy of airplay. It is another high voltage collection of originals from this fabulous band.

Richard Ludmerer