Finis Tasby is a singer’s singer. In the modern blues world, where wonderful instrumentalists are so plentiful, real blues singers are, sadly, in very short supply. At or very near the top of the short list of the best blues vocalists has for a very long time stood one man, Finis Tasby. He is nothing short of a national treasure.

Last year the golden throat struck gold in the shadow of the Golden Gate. The Dallas native and longtime Southern California based musician went north to record an album that is a career defining masterpiece. The CD entitled, Snap Your Fingers on Bluebeat Music is a joint project with guitarist Chris “Kid” Andersen. Andersen is a Norwegian ex-pat who has resided in the Bay area for many years. Over the past several years, he has established himself as one of the most in demand guitar players on the scene. A few years ago he was tapped on the shoulder by Rick Estrin to replace Charlie Baty in the Nightcats. Andersen has also distinguished himself as a marvelous producer. He assumes that role on this project. The album was recorded in his Greaseland studios in San Jose.

Andersen found material that is perfectly suited for Tasby’s buttery, soul drenched vocals. Please don’t misunderstand me. I have heard Tasby sing hundreds of songs through the years and he knows hundreds more that he can dust off in a moment’s notice and make his own. However the material found on Snap Your Fingers, sounds like it was written to be sung exclusively by Finis Tasby.  

The soul-blues sub genre can be a tricky road to navigate, as many recordings in this arena sound over produced and can feel slicker than floor wax on a disco ball. However, when this type of material is handled with the right mix of grits and gravy, you have yourself a listening experience that can be as gratifying as the feelings these sounds conjure up in your in your heart, not to mention other organs as well. Snap Your Fingers falls squarely in the latter category, as it avoids the clichés that often plague recordings of this ilk.

Tasby and Andersen are augmented by an army of special guests, not that these two titans of talent need it. The core band consists of Andersen on guitar, bassist Kedar Roy and drummer June Core who plays drums on nine of the album’s eleven tracks. They are joined by trombonist Ed Early and tenor and baritone sax man Jack Sanford who are heard throughout the album. Saxaphonist Terry Hanck also lends his smokey tenor to a handful of tracks. The keyboards are in the very capable hands of Bob Welsh and Lorenzo Farrell who is also on loan from Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Both men make fine contributions to this album.  

Guests include Aki Kumar who blows harp on, the old blues standard, Man Down There. He is backed on this tune by his band, Tip of the Top. It is Aki’s wife who took the fine photos that grace the CD’s intelligently designed packaging. On the great Lowell Fulson tune, Blue Shadows Falling, Elvin Bishop handles the lead guitar duties.

The real star of the record, of course, is the voice of the great Finis Tasby. It is a real treat to hear his take on B.B. King’s Ghetto Woman, Big Maceo’s Worried Life Blues, the album’s title track, an old gospel tune made famous by Joe Henderson in the early 60’s, and the Tony Jo White penned composition made famous in 1970 by Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia. When Tasby gets done with this tune you will forget that anyone has ever sung it before.

With Tasby it is not just the voice it’s in the choice. He seems to have perfect instincts for when the right inflection is needed to caress the specific emotion out of a lyric. His timing and phrasing are without peer and he uses all his skills to turn Snap your Fingers into an aural joy.

Andersen has emerged in the blues world as, not only an astonishingly creative and exciting guitarist, but a masterful producer and recording engineer as well. He has created the perfect platform for the voice of Finis Tasby.

In short, Snap Your Fingers is an early contender for album of the year and certainly the odds on favorite as the best soul-blues album of 2013. The CD receives my highest recommendation. 

- David Mac / Photos Courtesy of Rachel Kumar

Editors Note: In December of last year, Finis Tasby suffered a massive stroke. He is still recuperating from this setback and is convalescing in Santa Ana, California. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this album go directly to assist in the ongoing expenses associated with the care and treatment of Finis Tasby.

A medical fund has been established to help out Finis as well. Here are the details.

Finis Tasby Medical Fund
PO BOX 244
Fullerton, CA 92836

You can also donate online via PayPal at: FinisTasbyMedicalFund@aol.com