Kid Ramos

Kid Ramos - Kid Ramos - 1999 - Evidence

"...His vintage guitar sound never comes from an axe later than '61, which explains why his lean playing is so stylistic but not at all overpowering.... [Kid Ramos] is a bluesman all the way through." - Dirty Linen (4-5/00, p.81

With his second album (self-titled, as if it were his debut), Kid Ramos turns in a solid set of greasy roadhouse blues that hits harder than most contemporary blues albums from the '90s. Ramos not only knows how to select his material (all 15 songs are covers, but only "Three Hundred Pounds of Joy" is overly familiar) and can play all variations of blues, but he keeps the record loose and raw, never polishing the sound too much and letting the music breathe. The result is a thoroughly engaging, entertaining set that sucks you in with "Dead Love," keeps your interest through the extraordinary version of James Harman's "Walk-Around Telephone Blues" (the writer contributes harp here), and doesn't let go until the end. An appealing effort that establishes Ramos as a worthy artist in his own right even after years of winning audiences as a member of Roomful of Blues, the Red Devils and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. © Stephen Thomas Erlewine © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved

Two great blues harpists and vocalists, James Harman and Kim Wilson, guest on the self-titled solo debut by Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Kid Ramos (Evidence 26104-2; 56:43). Ramos acquits himself nicely in a variety of vintage '50s blues, R&B and soul settings on this horn-oriented project, including the organ-fueled Grant Green-ish funk of "Leave Me Alone," Pee Wee Crayton's jump blues "Fidde De Dee," the Stax/Volt flavored "One Woman, One Man" and a hot rockin' "The Jig's Up." Ramos demonstrates a stinging touch on the Albert Collins-inspired instrumental "Cold Chicken and Beer," the jaunty New Orleans stroll "No More Alcohol" and on a raucous rendition of Howlin' Wolf's "Three Hundred Pounds of Joy," with appropriately raspy vocals by Cesar Rojas of Los Lobos. Other guest vocalists on this all-star affair include Willie J. Chambers of the Chambers Brothers and the soulful Janiva Magness. Ramos himself makes his first ever vocal appearance on "I Would Be a Sinner" and he conjures up fond memories of simpler times with a briskly swinging rendition of "Bandstand Boogie," the longtime theme song for Dick Clark's American Bandstand TV show. A groovy debut from the Kid. - Originally published in December 1999 By & © Bill Milkowski © 1999–2012 JazzTimes, Inc. All rights reserved http://jazztimes.com/articles/10711-kid-ramos-kid-ramos

L.A. native Kid Ramos’ reputation as a fiery guitarist began, when at 21 years of age he joined James Harman’s band where he stayed for eight years, often playing four sets a night, five nights a week. On this s/t second album he is backed by some of the best blues musicians in the business including Kim Wilson, James Harman, Los Lobos’ Cesar Rosas, Lynwood Slim, Janiva Magness and Willie Chambers of the Chambers Brothers. A great album with two Ramos originals and covers of songs by artists including Willie Dixon, Pee Wee Crayton, Otis Rush, Don Robey, and Jimmy Liggins. Ray Agee and James Harman contribute two songs each. Kid Ramos does not always get the credit he deserves for playing the real blues for so many years now. "Kid Ramos" is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Buy Kid's "West Coast House Party" album and support The Blues, and real, worthwhile music [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 136 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Dead Love - Milton Campbell / Oliver Sain 4:03
2 No More Alcohol - Jimmy Liggins 3:01
3 Leave Me Alone - Ray Agee 3:03
4 Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy - Willie Dixon 4:01
5 Walk-Around Telephone Blues - James Harman 3:44
6 The Jig's Up - Jerry "Boogie" McCain 3:33
7 Open Up Your Heart - Ray Agee 3:32
8 Cold Chicken And Beer - Kid Ramos 3:18
9 Fiddle De Dee - Pee Wee Crayton 3:46
10 One Woman, One Man - Kid Ramos 4:17
11 It Takes Time - Otis Rush 4:16
12 I Don't Believe - Don Robey 3:09
13 Helsinki Laundromat Blues - James Harman 6:17
14 Bandstand Boogie - Charles Albertine 3:30
15 I Would Be a Sinner - Jerry West 3:07

MUSICIANS

Kid Ramos - Guitar, Harmonica, Background Vocals
Willie J. Campbell - Bass, Upright Bass
Jeff "Big Dad" Turmes - Upright Bass, Baritone Saxophone
Gene Taylor, Rob Rio - Piano
Dave Mathews - Hammond B3
Richard Innes - Drums
Stephen Hodges - Drums, Congas
Steve Marsh - Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Anne King - Trumpet
James Harman - Harmonica, Vocals
Kim Wilson, Janiva Magness, Cesar Rosas, Willie Chambers - Vocals
Lynwood Slim - Vocals, Background Vocals
Marc Thijs - Background Vocals

SHORT BIO

Born on January 13, 1959, in Fullerton, CA, blues-rock guitarist David "Kid" Ramos inherited his love of music from his parents, who were both professional opera singers. When his father grew tired of life on the road, he settled down with his family, buying a gas station in Anaheim. One day, when Kid was eight, he bought his son an electric guitar and amplifier from a customer passing through. By his teenaged years, Ramos was playing friend's parties and nightclubs on a regular basis, joining harmonica expert James Harman's blues-based band in 1980 (all its members sported sharkskin suits), playing up and down California alongside such punk bands as X, Oingo Boingo, the Blasters, and the Plimsouls. Kid played with the Harman Band for most of the '80s, until his departure in 1988, and although he filled in as the guitarist for the outfit Roomful of Blues, decided to put his musical career on the backburner to focus on his home life and start a family (for the next seven years, Ramos was employed as a water delivery man). Eventually though, his desire to play music returned and Ramos formed the Big Rhythm Combo with singer Lynwood Slim (issuing The Big Rhythm Combo in 1994), in addition to releasing his first-ever solo album, Two Hands One Heart, in 1995. The same year, Ramos was invited to join one of his favorite all-time bands, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, at the personal request of their singer, Kim Wilson. Ramos promptly accepted and he returned back to the road. In addition to his work with the T-Birds, Ramos has continued to issue solo albums on a regular basis, including 1999's self-titled sophomore effort, 2000's West Coast House Party, and 2001's Greasy Kid's Stuff. © Greg Prato © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kid-ramos-mn0000072335