I've got so much I want to say about this CD - all of it good -- that I'm having a difficult time figuring out where to start. I guess a good place, would be to state that, with all due respect to all of the other reviews I have done, this is certainly one of the more enjoyable CD's I have heard this year. "CHAS", the self titled CD by CHAS COCHRAN is vocally and musically perfect. It features 15 songs, all originals and all outstanding. CHAS' voice, somewhat a blend of the soulful growling of DR. JOHN, the melodic mastery of VAN MORRISON and the suave softness of MICHAEL FRANKS is truly the perfect singing voice. Combine that with the music of 20 wonderful musicians and this CD is a masterpiece.

 

    Typically, I like to pick out a few of my favorite tracks on a CD and mention a few words about each track. That may be totally impossible with "CHAS". The songs are all great and because of all of the different musicians used on all of the different tracks, I may just say something about every track.

 

    The CD starts out with a real nice jazzy number called "MOONSHINE", which, coincidentally or not, happens to sound very much like the Van Morrison song "MOONDANCE". On this track, there is some excellent harmonica playing by CHAS COCHRAN and some very lively piano work by CRAIG KASTELNIK.

 

    "SAVANNAH", is a funky New Orleans style song that really rips. The great Dixieland piano playing by DAN MC KINNEY and slide guitar work by TODD WOLFE are extraordinary on this track. The background vocals by KASSI FURMAN and VENESSA LOVELL were also a highlight on this song. I swear, I was scratching my head in puzzlement wondering who the clarinet player was when all the time it was CHAS on the harp. Amazing playing!

 

    "TOO BLUE TO BE TRUE", is a very up tempo song that highlights the rhythm section of "WILD BILL" TANNER on drums and RANDY SMITH on bass, along with more very good vocals by CHAS, KASSI and VENESSA. Also, MATT COCHRAN does such a great job on trumpet, and along with TYRONE FREDERICKS on sax they form a very formidable horn section. "CHICAGO" CARL SNYDER also tears it up on piano. This was one hot track, I can't count the number of time I replayed this one.

 

    "HOPING ENDLESSLY", changed the pace a bit and slowed things down with a very tasty percussion filled, Latin flavored, bosa nova. CHRIS GANNON on triangle, CHAS on percussion and RON BYRNE on vibes all excel on this track. Here is where the Michael Franks sound is also very evident. This is mood music at it's best right here. Later in the CD there is another similarly sounding track called "THE VISITOR" which highlights the trumpet and the vibraphone. Another very smooth jazzy sound.

 

    "KIMBERLY" is another track that highlights RON BYRNE playing some great vibraphone and TYRONE FREDERICKS on sax. RANDY SMITH also shines on electric guitar. This track had an uncanny resemblance to "ROUTE 66".

 

    "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" has CHAS pretty much doing it all. The highlights on this track are the splendid vocals, the excellent harmonica, and the smooth acoustic guitar -- all played by CHAS COCHRAN.

 

    "POND SCUM" is one of the bluesier songs on the whole CD. There are several nice long piano solos by DAN MC KINNEY and CHAS rips it up on harmonica. This track is followed by  "C. E. O", which IS the bluesiest song on the CD. TODD WOLFE tears it up on electric slide guitar, DAN MC KINNEY hits all of those far right blues keys just right on piano and CHAS is real sharp on vocals.

 

    "WHEN A GOOD LOVE GOES AWRY", features CRAIG KASTELNIK tearing it up on the Hammond Organ and CHAS on just about everything -- on this track he plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harp and sings.

 

    Other fine musicians performing on this CD that have not been mentioned yet are JAKE HECK on electric guitar, DEREK COLLINS, MITCH SHELLY and BETH GUERREO on bass, CRAIG "CJ" COYLE, DAVE FERRERA GARY RISSMILLER and MARK TOMLINSON on drums.

 

    'CHAS", by CHAS COCHRAN is a clearly, at this point, one of the top three contenders for the 2004 BLEWZZY AWARD that is given out each year by this website.