Jimmy Vivino

Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days

Gulf Coast Records

Jimmy Vivino may be best known as Conan O’Brien’s musical director on late night TV. It’s a gig he’s been working since the show first debuted in 1993. Before he started working television Vivino formed his band The Black Italians and held residency at the famed Downtime Music Bar on West 30th St. in New York City. The group served as the house band for the legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson, who played with Chuck Berry. The music was so hot Vivino described the mixture as “Third World blues with New Orleans swagger”. The residency ended after two years, once Vivino became busy with Conan’s show.

The Conan show allowed Vivino to meet and play with a series of family and mentors including Levon Helm, Al Kooper, John Sebastian, James Cotton, Joe Louis Walker, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan, Odetta, Darlene Love, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, and others; and with Canned Heat drummer Fito de la Parra, in fact Vivino became a member of Canned Heat and plays on their latest album “Finyl Vinyl”.

Vivino is also a member of a Beatles tribute band known as The Fab Faux. The group was founded by bassist Will Lee (Late Show with David Letterman) and Vivino plays guitar and keyboards, along with guitarists Frank Agnello, and Jack Petruzzelli, who also doubles on keyboards. Enlisting horn players Jerry Vivino, Tom “Bones” Malone, Tom Tinko, trumpeter Lew Soloff and others they perform exact replicas of the Beatles songbook, true in every detail.

The new album “Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days” is co-produced by guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Vivino and drummer Rich Pagano. The album opens with “Blues In The 21st” as Vivino sings “I went down to the convenience store”. It is the first single released from the album and also features bassist Jesse Williams; and guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who is a special guest on the track. The second single to be released is the infectious “Ruby Is Back” with Vivino on the Hammond B-3 as he sings “they say, Ruby’s back, she’s back in town”.

“Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days” is the title track and another great vocal from Vivino, as he adds some barrelhouse piano “need some medication just to ease my pain…headed out to the airport for a late night flight…my credit card was cancelled, it’s gonna be two of those days”. “Beware The Wolf” features some fine harmonica from John Sebastian with Mark Teixeira added on percussion “he’ll fuff and puff and they’ll be dinner on the hoof…beware my friends, take care, he’ll be knocking on your door”. “Ain’t Nuthin’s Gonna Be Alright” is the third single released “he’s gone, gone, gone, like the shadow in the night…goin’ back to New Jersey…my car broke down and nothin’ gonna be alright”.

“Better Days Past”, Vivino croons “don’t care how you identify…it’s all between me and you”. “Fool’s Gold” is another great vocal from Vivino who plays the Hammond B-3, “used to live the good life, had a family and a home…and then I was taken by that fool’s gold”. On “Crossed My Mind”, “you just crossed my mind and walked all over my heart”. “Goin’ Down Fast” features Vivino on a resonator guitar as he chimes “we are drinkin’ Muddy Water, we are breathin’ dirty air…and we are goin’ down fast”. “Shady Side Of The Street” is styled like a Howlin’ Wolf song as Vivino howls “on the shady side of the street, that’s where the shadows meet”. On the closer “Back Up The Country” once again featuring Sebastian on harmonica, Vivino chants “I went back up the country, just to see for myself…everything was tore down…crazy river where the water tastes like wine, they got a Starbucks there, I can’t keep from cryin'”.

Vivino’s multi-faceted career also includes movies, Broadway, and radio. Vivino states “I knew Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records would be the right label to put my music out…I was the instant 3rd Blood Brother when we met and expect a long association”. On “Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days” Vivino proves himself a great songwriter. Whatever the cards hold in store the next few hands should prove equally exciting”.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

BUY NOW

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter