The Blue Rider Trio - Preachin' The Blues (1990)

The Blue Rider Trio consists of three of Maryland’s finest blues musicians: guitarist/vocalist Ben Andrews, harpist Mark Wenner from The Nighthawks, and bassist Jeff Sarli of Big Joe & the Dynaflows. The focus of this tight set of country blues standards is on Ben Andrews’ plaintive voice and heartfelt picking. There is little new ground broken but the support of Wenner and Sarli provides this album with a special sound. Mark Wenner can play with delicacy or fury depending on the tune and never fails to amaze with his versatility. Jeff Sarli’s gently throbbing string bass provides a surging bottom that propels the fast tunes with a refreshing rockabilly feel. On the slow tunes his subdued playing deftly anchors the interplay between guitar and harmonica. Ben Andrews’ playing is most influenced by Robert Johnson and Blind Willie McTell as the titles indicate, but there are surprises like Mississippi John Hurt’s ethereal Pay Day. Ben Andrews contributed the originals Freight Train Boogie and She Don’t Do Me Wrong. Fans of Cephas & Wiggins, Ball & Sultan, or Steve James will enjoy this relaxed set of country nuggets.