Released on the Bear in the Chair label, Drivin’ Home to Carrie’s Cafe is the new electric blues and blues rock record from Project Blues, the volunteer-run nonprofit based in Columbus, Ohio, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Recorded in Austin, Texas, and produced by guitarist Anson Funderburgh, the twelve-track album runs just over 51 minutes and is available on both CD and vinyl. Project Blues gives all of its proceeds to the LifeCare Alliance women’s cancer clinic, which has recently partnered with The Ohio State University’s James Cancer Center to provide elevated services to women in need across central Ohio. As part of that partnership a new wing was built for the clinic, and a couple of weeks before this year’s event, a wing will be dedicated to Project Blues as a tribute to everyone involved, most importantly the artists who keep coming back to perform. Mike Berichon, the founder known as “Bear in the Chair,” is sponsoring this album as a thank-you to those artists, who have contributed mightily to the success of Project Blues.
As if that weren’t reason enough to purchase the album, there’s also the powerful music. “One More Time with Feeling,” featuring Guy Forsyth, sounds like a joint you hear from across the parking lot, music spilling out the door and drawing you right in. “If Trouble Was a Woman” keeps the good time rolling with even more swagger and a blues edge, as Tom Holland sings and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff’s harmonica answers him like a second vocalist. “Closer to Dead Than Born,” with Sean Carney, brings driving grit and ups the ante, with energy coming from every player. “I Never Really Left” pulls back a little and finds a nice groove. Then, Karen Lovely arrives on “Soul Survivor,” an inspiring song delivered by an equally inspiring voice. It delivers one of the album’s highlights: a message you want to listen to and that you likely agree with. Her voice is trustworthy as hell. “Ain’t Gonna Lay Down and Die,” with Tom Holland, is the album’s mission statement. “Lonely Room” is Sean Carney’s reminder that sometimes the blues can (and really do) get down. Guy Forsyth returns on “Can’t Have It All Without You,” a yearning vocal over a blues dance hall groove with a mirror ball feel. Bobby Floyd’s Hammond B3 lays a steady, continuous vibe under “We’ll Get There Eventually.” On “Carrie’s Cafe,” Karen Lovely gets the kind of song you always suspected she was capable of, even if you were hearing her for the very first time that night. Here her vocal instrument really shines. “I Can Never Give My Heart Away Again” dims the lights and makes you sway from side to side while you nod your head up and down in agreement. Guy Forsyth closes the record on “580 to the Wheels,” one more powerful reminder that this album is an all-star event, with full-on strength coming from all directions whenever the music plays.
The title comes from a real place and a real Friday-night tradition. Each week, cancer patients, survivors and indigents are bussed in to Carrie’s Cafe, the LifeCare Alliance banquet venue and cafe where Project Blues has held its event for 15 years. Project Blues sponsors a catered dinner and a soul-lifting blues event, with no tickets and no fanfare, just love, blues and healing. In the project’s own words: pain, fellowship, passion, healing. Drivin’ Home to Carrie’s Cafe captures that spirit, pairing seasoned blues talent with a genuinely worthy cause. Whether you come for the guest vocalists, Anson Funderburgh’s production, or the chance to help cancer patients in Columbus, buying a copy means your money goes directly where it is needed. It is a record that proves the blues can heal as well as hurt.
