Mike Goudreau: Press

Review by John Vermilyea ( Blues Underground Network )

2012 marks the 20th Anniversary for Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band and over those 20 years, they have not only gained the respect of their peers, but also many accolades from their critics. "20 Years Of Bop & Blues" marks that milestone with 13 new and original songs that offer up a unique tapestry of music, ranging from Swing to Gospel and many other styles in between.

"20 Years Of Bop & Blues" marks their 6th album, and although that may not seem like a lot over a 20 year span, once you are aware of Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band and their music, it becomes quite apparent that it is more about quality than quantity.

Of the 13 new and original songs on "20 Years Of Bop & Blues", all of them were written by Mike Goudreau, with additional co-writing credits going to Jonathan Boudreau (Movin' To The Groovin & In The Pocket), Lorrie Goodman (I'll Be On Your Side & See You Later Babe), Jean Francois Begin (In The Pocket), and Michel Aubin (Ca Peut Pas Marcher). Michel Aubin was the only co-writer that was not a member of the band.

"20 Years Of Bop & Blues" starts the show rolling in great Boppin' Blues style with the opener 'I'm Headin' Out The Door', and right then you know you are in for a great ride. Nice Guitar work from Mike Goudreau as well as great signature Vocals from Mike, as well.

Next up, 1 of my early favorites 'Mean Old Man', was a song that had a nice ZZ Top reminiscent riff throughout.

Track 4, 'I'll Be On My Way' gets the Harmonica groove going courtesy of Special Guest Pierre Lacocque. In addition to Harmonica, Pierre Lacocque is also the Band Leader and Songwriter for the famed Chicago Blues band Mississippi Heat. Fantastic Harp work, with the rest of the band helping out on this one, especially the great beat kept by Jean Francois Begin on Drums and once again spot on Guitar from Mike. Another one of my favorite Tracks. 

One thing that really stands out on this album was not only Mike Goudreau's amazing Guitar work, but also his Vocals, which reminded me just a bit of Michael Buble. Mike really got a fine silky smoothness to his singing. This comes through on all the Tracks especially Track 5 'She's Spreadin' Rumors', which also has a dynamite close by David Ellas on Sax.

Track 7, 'Movin' To The Groovin' is the instrumental on "20 Years Of Bop & Blues" and while it gave Mike a rest on Vocals, it doesn't give a rest to the instrumentalists as they really do get in the Groove and show off all their immense talent. This one has got a nice little Jazzy feel to it and I quite liked it.

Track 11 'I Had To Draw The Line' slows it down a bit as Mike gets a little Soulful and once again lets his Vocals shine. As always the Band, especially the Horn section, bring it all together as they weave in and out of this song with their magic. Great work also from Lorrie Goodman on Organ.

For Track 12, Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band switched it up a bit with a song with all French lyrics, and I for one am really happy they did. 'Ca Peut Pas Marcher' is not the first time French songs have appeared on Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band albums, in fact their 4th album was an all French album of 12 original blues songs. Great work again especially from David Ellas who once again shines on Sax, as he takes over for nearly a minute of this song. Mike Goudreau finishes off the Track with his sizzling Guitar work. Again a song with a little bit of Jazzy feel and just a hint of a Santana feel beat to it. 

"20 Years Of Bop & Blues" closes with 'See You Later Babe', the longest Track on the album, and they do so in fine Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band style. Everyone gets a chance to get in on the action and shine on this one; a really great choice for the closer. 

Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band, have once again done what they do best, and that is bringing their special style of Boppin Blues to the forefront. 

"20 Years Of Bop & Blues" was a 5 year wait from their 2007 release "Boppin 15" and considering the music on this one, the wait was well worth it. 

"20 Years Of Bop & Blues" is another winner from one of Canada's finest bands. 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/

 

BLUES REVIEW magazine ( Issue #109 - Dec/Jan 2008 , page 75 )
Quebec's Mike Goudreau & The Boppin' Blues Band split the difference between seven newly recorded offerings ans eight past glories on the self-released Boppin 15. A hearty vocalist and effective guitarist who plays snarling, tightly wound leads, Goudreau fronts a sharp band featuring keys, a couple of horns, and harp in addition to the basic bass-and-drums rhythm section. The material is strong, with originals like the western swing " Way Down South " and the Francophone Chicago shuffle " Le Blues des Loups "enlivening more traditional fare like the rubbery contemporary funk-blues " I Dig My Job " ( the guitar break, anchored by big doublestop bends and adorned with sparkling pick harmonics is marvelous ) , the jumping " Juke Joint Café " and a reworking that grafts Hank Ballard's " Look At Little Sister " to a backscratching groove. A highly enjoyable set. Tom Hislop

Blues Revue Magazine - # 102 OCT-NOV 2006
Mike Goudreau Band " The Grass Ain't Greener " PMG-CD-07 Another quality Canadian blues act largely unknown in the States,guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Mike Goudreau splits his time between jazz and blues bands, He has also released a Christmas album, a disc of pop standards, and even a blues set sung entirely in French, none of which have been picked up by an American label. Yet he toils away, giging steadily in Quebec and creating a buzz that only occasionally crosses the border. In a perfect world , The Grass Ain't Greener would put Goudreau on the radar. Solid and unpretentious, the guitarist's clean lines propel good-time sometimes driving blues that swings with snappy sincerity and crisp energy. Like his home country, Goudreau isn't terribly aggressive, preferring to go about his business without much fuss. While this album pushes no boundaries, it demonstrates a sure sence of style and dedication to craft that separates the good from the mere competent. Goudreau occasionally tears into a meaty guitar solo, as on the tough, Texas-style " I Had Me A Woman", but he generally keeps the flame on low boil. Harpist Harmonica Zeke sings two songs and adds Chicago-style blowing on others. On the title track, Goudreau and Zeke unfurl an upbeat groove that succeeds on chops and energy, if not originality. Covers of " Mercury Blues", " Caldonia ", and interestingly, the Beatles' " Oh ! Darling " providethe most head-turning moments, but the rest slip into the band's tight yet comfortable vibe. Goudreau has a pleasant voice, somewhat like Steve Miller,and never over extends his range or tries to sound artificially soulful. Easygoing ? Sure. Predictable ? To a certain extent. Boring ? Never.Goudreau presents this material with the heart and soul of a musician who just happens to live in a country than his musical inspirations, and he makes the most of his situation. More stateside visibility couldn't hurt,but Goudreau doesn't sound the type who chases fame. If he keeps releasing solid albums like this on his native turf, the audience will find him. Hal Horowitz

Mike Goudreau
Blues Et Cetera
www.mikegoudreau.com

Inspiré ce Mike Goudreau! Ce 10e album intitulé Blues Et Cetera présente, à mon avis une admirable continuité de l’auteur compositeur interprète. L’album précédent Boppin’15 rend justice à ces 15 dernières années de scène. Certains titres francophones tel Le Blues des loups et Ma meilleure amie font maintenant partie de notre terroir du blues. Album après album, Mike nous fait un peu sortir des sentiers battus. C’est d’ailleurs cette particularité qui ajoute un ingrédient de plus à ses nouveaux albums.
Cette fois-ci, il va plus loin et pour ce faire, 14 musiciens poussent la note bleu sur les 15 titres proposés du nouvel opus. À la deuxième pièce Why'd I drink so much est du pur Mike Goudreau avec grande orchestration et section cuivre où l’on retrouve Roger Walls y allant de solos de trompette plantureux et très saisissant. Ça se poursuit un peu plus loin avec la pièce Chicken Boogaloo, un style country blues et Crazy Johnny, un rock'n'roll bien senti d’une couleur Chuck Berry. Il n’y a pas que ses petites sorties de piste dont j’aimerais vous parler, il y a aussi les pièces Change my mind, I’m still cryin et Let me down easily, du blues corsé et des solos de guitares signé Mike Goudreau.

Un autre généreux album et original qu’il ajoute à sa collection. Le mariage de style musical est réussit et l’harmonie avec le blues en fait l’un de ses meilleurs crus.
Réjean Nadon