Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots ~~ The Devil Won't Get You
Another surprise that landed on my desk this week was from a group called Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots. I haven’t heard their debut album, but their sophomore release, The Devil Won’t Get You, is a strong disc with a lot of good work to recommend.
Based out of Portland, Oregon, a town with a lot of good blues players, they have assembled a great lineup and delivered eleven songs all of which were written or co-written by Rupp. Some of the songs come from their experience at the IBC competition.
Aside from Rupp on vocals and guitar, the rest of the musicians are made up of Brady T. Goss on piano, Rhodes, and Wurlitzer; Louis Pain on organ; Timmer Blakely on bass; Jimi Bott on drums and percussion; Scott Franklin on sax; Joe-Mack McCarthy on trumpet; Peter Dammon on guitar for Red Heads, Hair Dressers, And Chicks Named Tiffany; Lloyd Jones on vocals for the same title; Valyria Arnold on vocals for I’ve Been Thinking, The Devil Won’t Get You, and You’re Not My Baby; Johnny Wheels on vocals and harmonica on Blues Men In Black, and vocals on Don’t Bite The Hand – Rule #3; and Andrew Matthew, Paula Bunion, TJ Wong, and Jimi Bott on vocals for Tighten It Up.
The album starts off with a blistering Even Money. This one deals with a gambler trying to recoup his losses and just break even. There's a good piano break and the drummer really takes it out on his drums. Listen for the guitar break, it really soars.
The next song, Blues Men In Black, is down and dirty but be careful if you're listening with kids around. There are a few words you might not want them to hear. Otherwise enjoy the strangeness and the musicianship, especially the tradeoffs between the guitar and harp.
The song that Rupp co-wrote with Blakely follows. I Got You has a fat sound and could very easily grace any stage anywhere. It's a solid song with a few musical highlights. The horn section trades off with the guitar to create a great sound.
There's an interesting beat to Don't Bite The Hand - Rule #3. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but the drummer eventually takes off before returning to the odd rhythm. It's not my favorite song on the album, but still good.
Next up is Leopard For Your Love, a funky number with a lot of punch. Yes, there are a few double entendres, but they work with the song as they are more suggestive than blatant. There's some very good piano and the rhythm section gets a real workout. Dig it.
Things get slower and smoky for I've Been Thinking, a very cool jazzy blues number. This is one of those neo classics where you can imagine the singer, in this case Rupp, standing behind an old fashioned ribbon microphone and wailing his emotions to the audience. The trumpet break seals the deal.
At The Candlelight Room is a swinging number with a great shuffle beat. I will definitely give this one some airplay. There's nothing like a hot house that makes a musician eager to give the best show of his (or her) life.
The strangest title on the album has to be Red Heads, Hair Dressers, and Chicks Named Tiffany. It's a playful number and a confessional about some things you fellows shouldn't mess with. I can't speak to hair dressers or women named Tiffany, but I can tell you that red heads are challenging, but definitely worth the effort!
Next up is the title track, The Devil Won't Get You. There are other temptations in your way, so worry about them and not the devil himself. The greatest threat is really the blues, too many things contribute to the blues, and they'll all get you if you're not careful.
An old fashioned shouter follows, You're Not My Baby. The use of the organ and the backup singers give the song a gospel vibe which just underscores the lyrics.
The album ends on a high note with Tighten It Up. It's a delicious big energy number, and a great way to leave the audience wanting more. I would love to see this one live as I know it has to be a real crowd pleaser. Good choice guys!
I am so glad that Chad Rupp & The Sugar Roots found their way from Oregon to Virginia and landed on my desk. As I noted earlier, I don’t have their first album (Savage’s Life) in my collection, but I’ll be making my way to their website and picking it up ASAP. The Devil Won’t Get You is a strong contender for my best of 2023 list and I think you will like it as well.