Hear the interview with Lil Cliff & Rick Street from Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers as well as music from God Bless Women. This band is all about having a good time.

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Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers have been around in one form or another for over twenty years. This New York City band started out, like many bands, just a cover band to have fun playing music and picking up a little money. As time passed and personal changes happened, the band changed into more of a swingin’, jumpin’ blues band. Lil Cliff is the harp player and Rick Street plays an upright bass, both are lead vocalist as well as founding members of Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers. They both feel that one of the strong points of the band is it’s ability to play for an audience of young and old with everyone liking their music. Cliff said they can play to grandparents who will enjoy the swingin’ style of their music, remeniscant of their youth. At the same time there kids or grandkids will still enjoy the upbeat fun feel of the music.

The bands current CD is called God Bless Women. Rick Street wrote four of the eleven tracks, including the title track. “God Bless Women” is a great song that Rick put together from several different ideas. The song kicks off the CD with a fun dance able beat that sets the tone for the whole record. Check out the video for this song at their website. It was recorded during their show at the 2006 IBC Semi-Finals in Memphis. Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers made it to the top ten out of literally hundreds of blues bands from around the world, very cool. “Come Back Baby” is a song written by Sugar Ray Norcia when he was in the band Roomful of Blues back in the mid-nineties. The band really nails this song hard. The vocals, the harmonies, the harmonica playing, the guest pianist Manny Focarazzo, everything works to make this sound like their own song. You don’t even miss the brass section. What a good job they do.

Cliff said he always loved Brownie McGhee, so they decided to do his song “Living with the Blues”. Cliff also liked the idea of living the life of a blues man, which the song talks about. They do a good job on it with very nice guitar playing and good vocals. They also do a good job on the old Johnny Watson song “Cuttin’ In”. One of my favorites is the funny “My Last Meal” about a guy being on death row and what crazy things he wants for his last meal. All and all, this is a very fun record with good vocals, harp playing, and swing blues. In the show, Cliff and Rick will tell you about the songs Rick wrote plus you will get to hear four really fine originals. If you you’re going to be in the New York City area be sure to stop by and see one of their concerts. Be sure to bring some dance shoes. Later in the year they will be coming out with a new CD but till then be sure to pick up God Bless Women.

Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers’ line up on God Bless Women is:
Lil’ Cliff Bernard – lead vocals, harmonica
Rick Street – lead vocals, double bass
Dennis Phelps – guitar, vocals
Tom DeFranze – drums
with special guest Manny Focarazzo on piano & organ

The songs heard in the show are:
You Ain’t Nothin’ But Fine
Gospel (Of the Blues)
Chump Change
God Bless Women

Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers’ Website

Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers’ MySpace

Buy God Bless Women from the CD Baby Website
Thanks to Lil’ Cliff & Rick Street for taking time to do the interview.

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Blues Music and Interviews
A1Blues.Com
formerly A1 Artist Spotlight. Com
by  A1 Mark