So you start with a great rhythm section laying down that funky beat. That would be bass provided by Dave “The Butcher” Alves and drums by Donnie Hughley, add some great keyboard work from Steve “Doc” Yankee and Christain VanAntwepen and top that all off with….. what Gary von Tersch of Big City Rhythm & Blues calls
“Inspired, persuasively pensive guitar work that might even cause Clapton to raise an eyebrow in appreciation. Two thumbs up!”
……guitar from Vincent Hayes and you get one the 2011 Blues Music Award nominees for “Best New Artist Debut!” , The Vincent Hayes Project! I’ve been listening to their debut release Reclamation and I agree that it is a stellar debut!! The Vincent Hayes Project calls Grand Rapids , Michigan home and Hayes has been playing the Midwest Club and Festival circuit for the last 20 years as a solo blues act. He formed the Vincent Hayes Project in 2004. Since the band has opened for the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Larry McCray, and more. In 2005, after opening for rock legend Steve Miller, the infamous Miller took Hayes aside after The Vincent Hayes Project’s set and told him, “Now that’s the blues! Man, I like what you guys do!”
Since Reclamation’s release in June of 2010, the album debuted at # 20 on the Living Blues Top 25 Chart and stayed there for a long while. In December Reclamation reached #4 as a “Pick To Click” on B.B. King’s Bluesville Channel 74 on Sirius/XM Radio! Along with the Blues Music Award nomination the album recently won for three 2011 Jammie Awards (WYCE.org) in the categories of Best Blues Album and Best CD By A New Artist, and the “Big Jammie” itself for Best Album!
Reclamation grabbed me from the opening track “Hit Me, High Hit Me Low” and never let go! Throughout the album Hayes provides some terrific guitar work but what really set the album apart for me was the piano and keyboard work of “Doc” Yankee and Christian VanAntwerpen, particularly on the track “I’ve Got a Right to Change My Mind” and the instrumental track “Sticky Thigh Jive” where even that David Alves gets a chance to shine! But others can say it better than me……
“Great bass leads, hot percussion, and zealous organ. Had me holding my breath. Absolutely amazing work.” Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro, Mary4Music
“Terrific rhythm section, killer keyboard players, superb guitar playing and well-written lyrics. These guys are smokin’ start to finish.” -Cascade Blues
I just re-listened to “Middle Man” because of this quote:
The way Hugley kills on the skins as “Middle Man” hits its climax is phenomenal!” Full-time Blues
So check out The Vincent Hayes Project on their Myspace page or at their Reverbnation page!
This video shows off the band on the track “I Just Want to Get You High Tonight”