Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo Reviews “Guitarist Bobby Keyes is one of the great unsung heroes of the Boston scene.” Steve Morse, Boston Globe “Not since the Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler duo CD have I heard such pristine guitar work.’ Blues Access Magazine “He evokes an entire era of classic playing.” The Boston Phoenix “One of the finest guys I’ve heard…I really like the way he plays.’ Roy Buchanan, guitarist “I’d pay to see him play.’ Jordan Knight, pop star “Best guitarist I’ve seen since Duane Allman.” Rick Hall, producer
Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo Thrillionaire Records TR002		Bobby Keyes Lady Luck Thrillionaire Records TR004
The Boston Phoenix Off The Record, September 3 - 9, 2004 Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo Guitarist Bobby Keyes’s career has taken him through the bands of Jerry Lee Lewis, Sleepy LaBeef, Ben E. King, and Martha Reeves to the studios of Nashville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and, most recently, Los Angeles, where he wrote songs and played sessions for New Kids on the Block, Tommy Page, Jordan Knight, and Mya. A few years ago it led him back home to the Boston area, where Keyes has discreetly made his mark on the local six-string scene — first with his instrumental debut under the name Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo and now with this elegant sequel. This disc is less roots-oriented and more diverse than the first. And though ambiance and virtuosity are a crucial part of Keyes’s bag, these 10 songs, gifted with lush, seductive tones and relaxed tempos, are ultimately about the romance of the guitar. Numbers like the beautiful "When We’re Alone" recall the unadulterated innocence of Santo & Johnny, with delicate, vibrato-laden melodies. The title track uses crisp arpeggios and melody lines to conjure breathy gypsy swing, and the blend of warm bop-derived leads and bluesy wah-wah turns "Mr. Midnight" into a kind of ’70s noir soundtrack. The CD closes with Keyes’s take on Jackie Gleason’s "Melancholy Serenade," a sweet and sad composition that was also a signature of the late six-string hero Danny Gatton. Keyes plays it clean here, as he does on most of the disc, which is easy to listen to, but never becomes "easy listening." Blues Access #42 / Summer 2000 Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo Wow! One of the finest - if not the finest - guitar albums I've heard in a while. Bobby Keyes on guitar leads his trio of Craig Macintyre on drums and Sean Hurley on bass through 12 dazzling instrumental pieces. Not since the Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler duo CD have I heard such pristine guitar work. A MUST HAVE for guitarists. (Thrillionaire) The Boston Phoenix July 7, 2000 ***1/2 Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo (Thrillionaire). Led by Guitarist Bobby B. Keyes, this Boston area instrumental trio straddle rock, country, jazz and blues with élan on their excellent debut. Keyes has a big voice as a guitarist. Not only is he versatile, he evokes an entire era of classic playing with his careful but generous use of reverb and vibrato on tunes like "Roll The Dice." He's also capable of reimagining a chestnut like Duke Ellington's "Caravan" as something Speedy West might have played on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Lucky Stereo have a lot in common with former Peter Wolf guitarist Johnny A's Bam-Boom Ensemble: they share not only drummer Craig Macintyre but the kind of singing melodies that boost guitar instrumentals into the realm of pop. The difference is that Keyes writes consistently from the perspective of an American roots musician, whereas A also leads his group through Jeff Beck-influenced power blues rock, fusion and the like. Yet there's nothing akin to Keyes's strong-blooded Latin-jazz arrangement of the big-band chestnut "Nightingale" on A's Sometime Tuesday Morning. A club bill of Keyes's outfit and A's would be guitarhead nirvana. -- Ted Drozdowski MUSIC CONNECTION July 30 - August 12, 2001 CLUB REVIEWS The Baked Potato, North Hollywood, CA Bobby Keyes and Lucky Stereo Bobby Keyes, guitar; Sean Hurley, bass; Casey Scheuerell, drums Material: Smooth guitar-based jazz wafts through the air when this Lucky Stereo plays. Here is an accomplished trio that presents a form of progressive fusion that combines the improvisation of jazz with the power and rhythms of rock. Their set consists of covers as well as originals, and all the songs are theme-oriented, with enough space to showcase chops. Like a journey of the heart, their music touches deep emotions, from sorrowful mournings to wild revelries. Indeed, it’s not just this group’s technical skills that are impressive, but rather their evocative interpretations that move you in ways only real music can. Musicianship: Impeccable technique rules this band, with each player being a virtuoso. Keyes is the main man, with a touch that is so incredible it makes his guitar sound alive, literally singing and purring as he tosses off riffs. Scheuerell is the epitome of a jazz drummer and has a flourish that gives the songs weight without making them too heavy. Hurley alternately plays off of both his mates, and is surprisingly effective as he provides the impetus in the songs. Performance: This is a jazz band so Lucky Stereo’s stage show isn’t so much about theatrics as it is about pure musicianship. However, bassist Sean Hurley is a member of the successful RCA Records pop-rock band Vertical Horizon, and his presence adds to the band’s charm. In a jazz setting, it was thrilling to hear Hurley stretch his musical “horizons.” But even with an established rocker in the group, Bobby Keyes still holds your attention, controls the set, and creates an intimate relationship with the audience. Summary: Lucky Stereo is the real deal, with a sense of jazz that is touching, profound and moving. Made up of musicians who have a love for their genre of music and a feel that is soul deep, Lucky Stereo offer a refreshing alternative to the typical rock-driven set found in most venues. - Bernard Baur Back to Bobby Keyes page

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