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Get the blues at Ivas John Band CD release party

By Brent Stewart, The Southern

The Ivas John Band is playing a CD release party for its latest album, 'Street Music,' Feb. 14 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale.

The Ivas John Band 'Street Music' CD release party. Wednesday, Feb. 14. 10 p.m. Hangar 9, 511 S. Illinois Ave. Carbondale. For more information call (618) 549-0511.

You may have caught the Ivas John Band at one of their weekly shows at Key West Lounge in Carbondale, or maybe you've seen them play at one of the local wineries. Chances are, if you've seen them play, your most prominent impression of the group was John's fiery guitar playing and his scorching solos.

But it's easy to miss the bigger picture of how great an ensemble the entire band is, and that's basically because they're so good. However, when you listen to their debut album, "Street Music," it's easier to pick up on the textures and subtlety that is the foundation for John's skillful playing.

In fact, the album is more reminiscent of the later recordings by the Band, after Robbie Robertson had ditched them for Hollywood, and they went back to basics to become just a great rhythm and blues bar band.

The Ivas John Band will be celebrating the release of "Street Music" at Hangar 9 this Wednesday, which may or may not be appropriate, depending on how you view Valentine's Day. Look at it as blues for the broken-hearted or a sultry atmosphere for romance.

Ivas John is originally from Chicago, having moved to Southern Illinois seven years ago for school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. It wasn't until he moved down here that he actually picked up the guitar.

Both his father and brother are musicians, and very much into blues and jazz, but it took awhile for John to find it himself.

"The music was always around in my home when I was growing up," he said. "I guess I kind of resisted it."

It was when he was in high school that he finally got hooked.

"I heard blues music for the first time when I was 15 or 16, I mean, really heard it, really listened and appreciated it," he said.

The first artist who really inspired him was legendary songwriter and Alligator recording artist, the late Fenton Robinson.

"He wrote a lot of great songs and was just kind of behind the scenes," John said. "Never really made a mainstream name for himself, but he wrote a lot of great blues songs that other people covered."

The album was his classic, "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" which was also a hit for Boz Scaggs.

"I just remember listening to that over and over again," John said.

From there, he began to play. In two years, he played his first show with a band, being invited to sit in with the Blues Bandits. All the while, perfecting his style and trying to find his own way.

"I just kept on hearing all these notes and stuff in my head and I kept thinking 'if I was doing this I think I could do it better, or maybe I would try this differently.'"

Finally, he settled in to what amounted to an apprenticeship with legendary Carbondale bluesman "Big Larry" Albritton.

After three years as a sideman, after receiving a tremendous education in what it means to be a musician and a bluesman, he struck out exclusively on his own, landing a weekly gig at Key West to further develop his sound.

The result of the past several years of learning and playing can be heard on "Street Music." The band has settled into a cohesive lineup that includes James Layman on bass, Wayne Goodman on drums and Brad Bell on piano. They provide a well-balanced backdrop for John's soulful vocal.

The opening track, "I've Got a Woman," with its weeping horns and sweeping piano fills, is a great introduction to a group, that when it comes right down to it, is less about flash and more about creating an atmosphere.

The album also sports a full horn section, courtesy of Shadi Frick, Roger Flatt and Larry Robinson; and Chris Phillips provides the smooth, sweet organ, and additional piano.

Some longtime John originals are included on the album, such as "Remember the Day." All of the songs were co-written by John's father, Edward Dambrauskas, whom the guitarist cites as the biggest influence on his music.

With song titles like "Honky Tonk Girl," "Baby By My Side," "Playhouse to the Poorhouse," and "The Woman I Want," you can tell that you're going to get the blues, but you'll be more enchanted by the musicianship than brought down by the subject matter.

"Street Music" is proof that The Ivas John Band can make every place they play, from Key West to Von Jakob Vineyard, to your living room while you listen to the CD, into a smoky blues club.

brent.stewart@thesouthern.com

(618) 351-5074