Beer Man - Mick Mercury & the Meteors' newest CD is a live studio recording of this rockin' 4-piece blues band. A vintage 70s sound blend of American and English-style blues. 7 original tracks of contemporary blues. Syracuse Post-Standard, Dec. 11 Review by Mark Bialczak: "Bluesman Mick Mercury has returned to his roots in the Mohawk Valley after more than a dozen years of winning blues awards in the Carolinas. "With Mick on vocals and bass, Pops Mercury on vocals and harmonica, Rod Broadbent on guitar and Kevin Hoffman on drums, "Beerman" serves up the blues with just a touch of rock fire. "Mick Mercury's dark, gritty voice delivers big time in "Fancy Hat." With new shoes, life's good with the blues, indeed." Mick Mercury History: The Meteors Blues Band has traveled a varied path. After playing in various New York area blues bands, in 1989 Mick Mercury (A. D'Ambrosio) moved to Charleston, SC and began peforming in the Southeast until 2004. While there, the Meteors took top honors in the Charleston, SC and Wilmington, NC Blues Societies' contests. Appearances at the House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, and coastal nightspots from Raleigh, NC to Daytona, FL have brought some notoriety. Now in upstate New York, the Meteors are playing original blues and standards. Mick and the Meteors have most recently shared the stage with such artists as Duke Robillard and Jerry Portnoy, performing as members of the Mohawk Valley Blues Society (Utica, NY). He has also performed with such artists as Detroit Junior, Taildragger, Bruce Willis, the Zodiacs and James Montgomery. Even traveling as far as India to perform and educate about the blues, as bassist for Bernie Clarke and the Rhythm Sharks. Discography: It's Not Rocket Science, It's the Blues - 1997, Pass Me the Blues - 1998, Blue Blue World - 2000, Beerman - 2005 FEEDBACK FROM ALLIGATOR RECORDS: I have had an association with Alligator Records and Bruce Iglauer, in that I have always sent them Meteor material to listen to his critiques. This is a summation of some of his/Alligator's comments. Beerman - The kind of anthem that works well live in a bar. Smokey Cafe - nice evoking of mood Boogie w/Your Baby - Another sort of bar anthem that can be fun live. Fancy Hat - Fun song On the Streets - Cool, slinky groove Shoes by the Door - Nice swamp-pop feel to the groove Blade of the Knife - Of the two singers, I prefer this one...(So, he doesn't always know what he's talking about). These are the opening lines of each critique. They delve deeper than this--some good, some bad. So you be the judge. In summation he says "you guys have a rather distinctive style with some good song ideas. High point of the disc was the guitar playing." He tells us we need better vocals. "Hate to be critical, but I assume you want the honest response." This is why we produce and record our own material. Not everyone has the vision that you may have. Or how you want to present your music. Thanx for taking the time to read this. --Mick Mercury