Danny Krieger: Press

for "No You"

YES ME!

...Though it's Grams and Krieger's names that appear on the cover, the album includes appearances by plenty of familiar names that help beef up the soulful blues sound, including Ed DeLucia, Carla Brownlee, Ralph Gilmore and Eric-Jan Overbeek, aka Mr. Boogie Woogie. Tunes range from the slow-burning late night lament "Big Mouth Baby" and the shuffling blues-rock of "Chilly Side of Town," which boasts gorgeously soulful vocals, to a slightly odd instrumental waltz that sounds improvised ("Old Sparky's Waltz") and a strutting take on Rufus Thomas' "Memphis Train." These two dudes ain't in the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame for nothin'.

Stephen Seigel - The Tucson Weekly (Dec 1, 2005)

For Grams and Krieger "No You"

On the cover it sure looks like something 'funny' is happening just out of sight of the camera, which would not be the least bit unusual with this duo. They have been together for umpteen years, and act almost like brothers that love each other, but will never make it easy on the other. The cover photo and the disc title reflect that practical joker air of competitive brotherly love, and it is infused in the music on this disc as well. They have fun and enjoy each other's company, and this adds that certain extra ingredient, both in the playing and delivery, to the music. They are strongly supported on this collection of original songs (with only one cover) by a rotating cast of very able musicians- a group that knows whose disc they are playing on and they are a very respectful lot. This disc is rooted in the blues, but covers a variety of styles, leaning slightly toward the country-side, in an electrified mode. You lead off with Danny Krieger's voice that has been soaked in a
whiskey-and-cigarette vinaigarette to come to its proper rasp. The singing of upright and electric bassist Steve Grams is smoother, and has more of a country edge to it. The two of them more or less trade off as to who gets to be singing lead. There is that cohesiveness that comes when friends that truly admire what the other is creating play together. You particularly hear it when the voices blend into that seamless voice of two: give a listen to "Hey Paulina." It is one of the songs worth going to cdbaby for.

For "That's the Way We Work" (Vitalegacy Records)

The only regular gig for the hometown blues duo of Grams and Krieger is Wednesday nights at Nonie Restaurant, but these two guys have been at the center of the Tucson music scene for so long, they seem ubiquitous after dark. Hearing them play the blues together is like putting on your favorite pair of old shoes. Everything about them just feels right. Their beats are laid back and wise to the ways of tavern life. There is musical wisdom in the phrasing, the economy of chord changes, in creating rhythms that give their all to every bar of music. This 11-track collection contains only three covers. The rest are originals, tailored to meet the values of Grams and Krieger. If you think the Old Pueblo is an ordinary kind of place, listen to these guys. They capture the modern quality of frontier life, where dreams are underfunded and chances of success are slim. So if your plans include becoming a bottom-feeder bumping along in the dry heat, Grams and Krieger will be happy to accompany those efforts with an understated style of blues that is decidedly cool. Online shoppers, go to www.vitalegacy.com

For "Two Days"

G&K have worked within the blues' structures--and with each other--so long that playing and writing within them sounds like second nature. They've made a record as comfortable for themselves and the listener as bedroom slippers on a rainy day. If there's somebody in Tucson who knows better than DK how to better marry a slide and a fretboard, I ain't heard 'em. BLUES ALL DAY, as I've previously noted, should become a standard. It certainly has the quality of one. It also highlights how well G&K sing as well as play together. Danny's box splatters out notes as if in the frustration the lyrics describe.