Professor Louie and The Crowmatix

Crowin’ The Blues

Woodstock Records

Aaron Hurwitz a.k.a. Professor Louie was a sought after New York City producer and engineer. When he moved up to Woodstock he began to work with the remaining members of the Band; Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm. Dubbed Professor Louie by Danko he would co-produce, engineer and play on the re-unified Band’s last three albums; 1993’s “Jericho”, 1996’s “High On The Hog” and 1998’s “Jubilation”.

Professor Louise and The Crowmatix started touring and recording their own music in 2000. Their debut recording was “Over The Edge”. In 2010 they released “Whispering Pines” and followed up with 2012’s “Wings On Fire”. Their last album was 2016’s “Music From Hurley Mountain”.

This is the Crowmatix thirteenth studio recording. Today the Crowmatix include Professor Louie, piano, organ, accordion, and vocals; Miss Marie, piano, percussion, and vocals; Gary Burke, drums; Frank Campbell, bass and background vocals; and John Platania, electric and acoustic guitar.

Four of the thirteen tracks are new originals co-written by Professor Louie and Miss Marie. “Prisoner of Your Sound” is a groove starting with the rhythm section of Burke and Campbell before the Professor comes in on piano. Again the Professor lays down some interesting piano on “Love is Killing Me” with Marie providing harmony and some added guitar from both Josh Colow and Michael Falzarano. “Blues and Good News” is the first of two instrumentals this one with an interesting rumba beat. The other instrumental is a tribute to the late Stanley Dural called “Blues For Buckwheat” featuring the Professor on accordion.

The remaining tunes are well selected covers. “I’m Gonna Play The Honky Tonks” was written by Don “Deadric Malone” Robey, founder of Peacock Records, and originally recorded by Marie Adams in 1952. “High Heel Sneakers” written by Robert Higginbotham, better known as Tommy Tucker, was a number one hit single for him in 1963. It has been recorded by over a thousand different artists. The Professor’s vocal and Platania’s guitar are great but they are kicked up a notch higher when the Professor comes back in on organ.

“Fine Little Mama” is the Elmore James classic with some great slide guitar from Platania. “I Finally Got You” is from R n’ B pianist, vocalist and songwriter Jimmy McCracklin. “Why Did You Do That To Me” was written by Lee Conley Bradley better known as Big Bill Broonzy and features some dazzling piano from the Professor. Jimmy Reed’s “Bright Lights, Big City” is slowed down and given a new treatment including a piano interlude from Professor Louie. On Jimmy Rogers “That’s Alright” Miss Marie sings “every now and then I wonder whose loving you tonight”. Marie sings lead again on B.B. King’s “Confessin’ The Blues” and on the traditional “I’m On My Way” with a new arrangement.

Professor Louie and The Crowmatix continue to make their own brand of music.

Richard Ludmerer

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