CD Woodbury

World’s Gone Crazy

Independent

CD Woodbury developed a reputation as a sideman on the Pacific NW blues scene. He founded his own band in 2009 and released his debut Sunbanks Live! In 2010; resulting in winning the first of his eleven Washington Blues Society “Best of The Blues” awards and the moniker “The Northwest’s Best Kept Secret”. In 2013 his studio follow-up The CD Woodbury Band’s “Monday Night!” earned them an appearance at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. In 2018 Woodbury suffered hand surgery and some other health issues but returned to the IBC in 2020 where they were twice a finalist for “Best Self-Produced CD”.

The band returns on “World’s Gone Crazy” set for release on July 24^th, 2020. The current line-up includes Woodbury, guitar and lead vocals; Seattle’s Patrick McDanel (who played with everyone from Mel Torme, to Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers), bass and backing vocals; Don Montana, drums and backing vocals; and Mike Marinig, keyboards, saxophones and backing vocals. The album was recorded by Chris Rahm at the Robert Lang Studios in Seattle.

The thirteen track recording includes eight originals; five by Woodbury, and three more co-written with members of the band. Woodbury proves himself a skillful songwriter and guitarist. A four part acapella intro opens Woodbury’s hill stompin’ “Follow The River Home” with some great slide. The witty and swingin’ “Walk Around Music” tells the story about how sweet soul music inspired Woodbury to “move his big ol’ body around”. Woodbury pays tribute to the city of Seattle on “Emerald City Blues”; and to his time on Beale Street with “Memphis Heat”. My favorite however, has to be Woodbury’s hilarious narrative on “Can’t Eat That Stuff No More”. The latter is so good I played it several times before continuing. Both the title track “World’s Gone Crazy”, and “South of South Hill” are written by Woodbury and the band, with additional help from D’Amour. “I Didn’t Know” is from D’Amour and McDanel. Five more selected covers are included.

Willie Dixon’s classic “Wang Dang Doodle” was first recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1961, and re-recorded by Koko Taylor in 1966; on this new version drummer Montana takes the lead vocal. Sung by Woodbury “Last Go Round” is a slow shuffle written by Tad Robinson and John P. Bean and the title track to Robinson’s 1998 Delmark album. “Adeline” is a tune from fellow Northwest bluesman Kevin Andrew Sutton. “Hey Joe” written by Billy Roberts was the first single for Jimi Hendrix, and was recorded many times most notably by The Byrds, and The Shadows of Night. “The Preacher and The President” written by Joe Louis Walker, during Bill Clinton’s 1998 Impeachment, was the title track off of Walker’s 1998 album on Verve Records. These are great versions.

This recording should help establish CD Woodbury as a talent worth following on the national scene. Better check him out.

Richard Ludmerer