Roomful of Blues Hits Chan's With Their Latest CD, "Hook, Line and Sinker"

With reputation as one of the best blues clubs in the country, it's no wonder that the legendary "Roomful of Blues," who are in a class by themselves, would choose the venue as a stage for their magic this Halloween weekend.

The band has been going strong since 1967 with a non-stop performance schedule for over 40 years. With Duke Robillard on guitar and Al Copley on keyboards, the band's ability to ignite a sedate crowd into a dancing frenzy solidified their reputation as the "best little big band" in New England. Count Bassie called them, "The hottest blues band I've ever heard."

Although their line up has changed over the past 40 years, the current band sounds fresher and stronger and continues to maintain their signature sound thanks to great musicianship and a stellar horn section.

Rich Nataille, who first joined the band in 1970 can play his honking sax like back in the glory days or with the cool elegance of big band swing.

Chris Vachon, the guitarist, joined the band in 1990 and played a key role in the band's Grammy nomination for their 1995 album, "Turn it On, Turn it Up."

They joined the Alligator Record family in 2003 with the Grammy nominated "That's Right," followed by "Standing Room Only" in 2005, and "Raising a Ruckus" in 2008. Now they are back with thier foot stomping CD highlighting the intense vocal and instrumental power of the band with "Hook, Line and Sinker."

"Hook, Line and Sinker" features twelve songs from artists Little Richard, Dave Bartholomew, Amos Milburn, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Floyd Dixon and others. The CD was produced by Roomful of Blues guitarist Vachon and includes a blast of rocking guitars, punching horns and huge room filling vocals.

People Magazine said, "Roomful's music can turn a dull evening at home into a heel clicking night of fun."

There have been more than 50 members throughout the band's history and each have brought their unique talent and vision to the mix.

The band's newest members are vocalist Phil Pemberton, bassist John Turner and trumpeter Doug Woolverton. Still in the line up are long time members Ephraim Lowell on drums, Travis Colby on keyboards, Mark Earley on baritone and tenor saxophone, Vachon on guitar and Lataille on sax.

Costumes are welcome at Chan's for Saturday's performance in celebration of the Halloween weekend, so "dress up to get messed up," the venue's website advises.

Showtimes: 8 p.m. ($27) and 10 p.m. ($22) or both shows for $30.

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