Reviews
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The Lone Sharks
Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks have been in this business long enough to know what works best for them. Their unique brand of honky-tonk rock and roll swing has been entertaining Long Island audiences (and its environs) for decades, and The Lone Sharks never disappoint a crowd that’s hungry for good, old-fashioned roadhouse rock and roll. While most of the live music scene is cluttered with imitators, cheesy cover bands, and tribute acts, the Lone Sharks represent “the real deal,” bringing authenticity and a contagious energy to every performance.
“What Happened?” is the band’s latest collection of original material, all penned (or co-penned) by Gene Casey, and it showcases virtually every asset of the Lone Sharks. Over the course of twelve tracks, Gene and the boys try to do it all, and damn if they don’t nail all of it – whatever ‘it’ is. Casey pushes the band through a series of changes, touching on rockabilly (“Bad Baby”), Country (“It Should Rain”), swing (“That’s What Cheaters Do”) and flat-out rock and roll (“Gone Hollywood”). It’s a virtual ‘how-to’ primer for lesser musicians who can only wish to have the chops and versatility of these guys. Just listen to Gene and sax player Paul Scher trade riffs on “Gone Hollywood” and you’ll see what I mean, or check out Chris Ripley’s driving swing beat on “That’s What Cheaters Do” for a lesson in rhythmic drive. The ‘doghouse’ bass stylings of Tony Palumbo and/or Joe Lauro provide a backdrop that makes anything possible, and everybody in the band knows how to ride a groove like its nobodies business.
The surprising bits on “What Happened?” are also the most fun. Gene takes a nod from Johnny Cash and gives his basso profundo voice a workout on “Which Lie to Tell,” and even borrows a riff from the Nat King Cole songbook (“Pretend”) on “If I Can Do It.” Things turn considerably more serious on “A Better Place,” where Gene delivers a heartfelt tribute to a lost comrade. It’s a touching, sobering moment, and it fits perfectly amid the dozen tracks featured here. All in all, “What Happened?” is a great introduction to a great band. To get your own copy, you could do worse than to see the band live, where they will most certainly be offering copies, or you could visit the band’s website, at http://www.lonesharks.com/index.html
Grade: 
 
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