Nite Train With Thomasina Winslow - Cat On A Mission (2020)

“I was recently asked to review the latest new Nite Train project and I am psyched to have been asked. It’s been way too long since I caught a ride on this rail line. I’ve absorbed this new CD, “Cat on a Mission” and must say they should all be proud of this production. Lots of creative energy is fueling this Nite Train with Thomasina Winslow on the blues rails in the Capital District of Upstate New York.

I had the pleasure of recording the Nite Train band at Stonewall Studio in Rensselaerville, NY back in the early days of its history (2007). The songs on this recording continue to propel this long time rockin’ blues band for road house music fans. Sometimes it’s hard to capture a live performance but it’s all alive and vibrant on this seven songs disc beautifully engineered in Albany by John Chiara (AAA Recording Studio C) and mastered by Larry DeVivo (Silvertone Mastering).

Vocalists Ken Briggs, Marla Briggs and Thomasina Winslow make the compositions really shine as they move from driving rock on to passionate minor blues and shuffles. Al Kash pushes the drum pedal to the blues metal on “Cat on a Mission” supporting Ken’s cool growling vocals all the way through Marla’s and Thomasina’s rock power on “Love Me Baby.” Thomasina’s authentic blues vox stylings with “Stay Even” take the train to another scenic station. You’ll hear a funky hook you won’t forget in “Right Where You Wanna Be.” “Truck Trouble” reminded me of way too many gigs on the road when the van just won’t get you home that night. Call a tow truck, deal with it and hope it doesn’t rain or snow any more. The bonus track, “46r”, left me reminiscing for another hike in the Adirondacks that I left a while ago when we moved to New Orleans. This duet with guitarist Paul Quigley and Ken’s story telling will make anyone appreciate the sore feet and mystical presence of those sacred mountains in NY. That one’s sure to be a 46er Club classic anthem.

This band is seasoned with traveling first class Nite Train round house musicianship from Ken Briggs’ vox and bottom end bass maintenance, Marla Briggs’ voice interpretations, Marcus Benoit’s sax that made me sit up and especially take notes on his “Gone So Long” solo, Al Kash’s skilled-by-years-of-touring drums/percussion, Mike Kelley’s tasteful soloing piano and organ touches, Paul Quigley’s guitar with honest colorful soloing contributions and Thomasina Winslow’s soulful vocals and rhythm guitar artistry. This album belongs in any blues fan’s collection IMHO (“in my humble opinion” for those of you non-texters). It will definitely help you creatively escape on their train for a moment during these challenging COVID -19 times.” ~Greg Speck