The Porkroll Project

The key to repeatedly producing a quality product is to repeatedly use quality ingredients or parts. This holds true from the food you eat to the machinery you work with to the music you listen to, and it includes the makers of that music as well. Spanning seven years and several CDS, the ingredients that make up the Porkroll Project have been pretty much the same five top notch musicians. They are: Neil Taylor on guitar & vocals; Joe Stout on organ & vocals; Paul Matecki on piano & vocals; Chad Edstrom on drums; Ed Young on bass and vocals; and Buddy Cleveland on harmonica. On "Three Legged Dog", which contains seven band originals out of twelve tracks, a few other "quality ingredients" were added. They are: Mike Bardzik on drums, Joe D'Amico on mandolin, and Randy Phister on conga. Now let's listen.

Apparently, doing this must be a lot harder than it might seem. As Paul tells it, he'll take out his baby's trash and even mop her floor, he'll also do her laundry, iron her clothes, wash her back, polish her toes and more - just as long as he doesn't have to walk her "Three Legged Dog" anymore. The deal breaker could have very well been the fact that the dog also can't see. Between complaints about the poor pooch there's a killer three minutes of powerful rhythm backing some ass kickin' guitar and harp leads.

With four of the band members sharing vocal leads, "Ninety-One Days" is one of the five tracks that feature Paul Matecki and it's by far his best effort. Getting in lots of piano highlights as well, I guess it's no coincidence he wrote the song.

Although no one will ever do it like Johnny did, most of the versions that I've heard of "Folsom Prison Blues" have been enjoyable. The song and it's writer are so legendary, it's almost sacrilegious to say you didn't like a particular version of it. And that's certainly not a factor on The Porkroll Project's rendition. As a matter of fact, Neil Taylor does an admirable job on the vocals and guitar, and the extra addition of Buddy's harp and Paul's piano both add a little something even the great original version didn't have. Good stuff.

On this particular track it sounds like the band is ready to "Party Till The Cows Come Home". This is one of those songs where everyone just cuts it loose and it all comes together sounding great because they all nailed it. Let it roll....yeah, yeah, yeah....let it roll.

Inasmuch as I had hoped that the lyrics to "Three Legged Dog" were fictional, it's all too sad that the lyrics to "All I Got Is Time" definitely aren't. It's about a diligent, conscientious, very loyal employee of twenty-seven years being laid off because of downsizing. Happen to anyone you know? Same here. Adding Randy's conga for some extra added percussion, make this one hot rhythm driven track.

Other tracks on "Three Legged Dog" include: "Broke And Hungry", "Shoeshine Joe", "Cold Turkey", "Lamp In The Window", "Miss Mandy's Kitchen" and "Ain't A Day Goes By".

The Porkroll Project can be found at www.porkroll-blues.com. While you're there, in addition to telling them the Blewzzman sent ya, you can thank them for not injuring any animals, dogs or otherwise, in the making of this recording.
- Mary4Music.com

The key to repeatedly producing a quality product is to repeatedly use quality ingredients or parts. This holds true from the food you eat to the machinery you work with to the music you listen to, and it includes the makers of that music as well. Spanning seven years and several CDS, the ingredients that make up the Porkroll Project have been pretty much the same five top notch musicians. They are: Neil Taylor on guitar & vocals; Joe Stout on organ & vocals; Paul Matecki on piano & vocals; Chad Edstrom on drums; Ed Young on bass and vocals; and Buddy Cleveland on harmonica. On "Three Legged Dog", which contains seven band originals out of twelve tracks, a few other "quality ingredients" were added. They are: Mike Bardzik on drums, Joe D'Amico on mandolin, and Randy Phister on conga. Now let's listen.

Apparently, doing this must be a lot harder than it might seem. As Paul tells it, he'll take out his baby's trash and even mop her floor, he'll also do her laundry, iron her clothes, wash her back, polish her toes and more - just as long as he doesn't have to walk her "Three Legged Dog" anymore. The deal breaker could have very well been the fact that the dog also can't see. Between complaints about the poor pooch there's a killer three minutes of powerful rhythm backing some ass kickin' guitar and harp leads.

With four of the band members sharing vocal leads, "Ninety-One Days" is one of the five tracks that feature Paul Matecki and it's by far his best effort. Getting in lots of piano highlights as well, I guess it's no coincidence he wrote the song.

Although no one will ever do it like Johnny did, most of the versions that I've heard of "Folsom Prison Blues" have been enjoyable. The song and it's writer are so legendary, it's almost sacrilegious to say you didn't like a particular version of it. And that's certainly not a factor on The Porkroll Project's rendition. As a matter of fact, Neil Taylor does an admirable job on the vocals and guitar, and the extra addition of Buddy's harp and Paul's piano both add a little something even the great original version didn't have. Good stuff.

On this particular track it sounds like the band is ready to "Party Till The Cows Come Home". This is one of those songs where everyone just cuts it loose and it all comes together sounding great because they all nailed it. Let it roll....yeah, yeah, yeah....let it roll.

Inasmuch as I had hoped that the lyrics to "Three Legged Dog" were fictional, it's all too sad that the lyrics to "All I Got Is Time" definitely aren't. It's about a diligent, conscientious, very loyal employee of twenty-seven years being laid off because of downsizing. Happen to anyone you know? Same here. Adding Randy's conga for some extra added percussion, make this one hot rhythm driven track.

Other tracks on "Three Legged Dog" include: "Broke And Hungry", "Shoeshine Joe", "Cold Turkey", "Lamp In The Window", "Miss Mandy's Kitchen" and "Ain't A Day Goes By".

The Porkroll Project can be found at www.porkroll-blues.com. While you're there, in addition to telling them the Blewzzman sent ya, you can thank them for not injuring any animals, dogs or otherwise, in the making of this recording.
- Mary4Music.com

Although it's been some time since we've heard from them, members of The Porkroll Project, individually and collectively, are seasoned veterans here at www.Mary4Music.com. One way or another, searching our archives will find many of these fellows names, and it's certainly a pleasure to be hearing from them again.
The 2009 version of the band consists of: Paul Matecki on piano and lead vocals; Neil Taylor on guitar and lead & background vocals; Joey Stout on organ and lead & background vocals; Ed Young on bass; Chad Edstrom, J. T. Thomas and Matt DelCollo on drums; Buddy Cleveland on harp; Doc White on bass and lead vocals; and the Union Street Horns, which include: Joe Anderson and Paul Giess on trumpet; Steven Sharp on trombone; and Dave Renz and Paul Cleveland on tenor sax.
"Shake It Twice", the bands latest effort, contains six original tracks and four familiar covers. On the opening track, "My Daddy Was The Postman", I get the impression a lot of "male" may have been being delivered by this mailman. This one's a smoker on which the hot rhythm, fiery guitar and keyboard leads, and rippin' harp are definitely going to have you shaking it.....a lot more than twice.
In blues songs, some very profound lyrics have been used when paying a compliment to someone, or emphasizing the love one may feel for another. "I'd Rather Go Blind" (than to see you walk away) is one example and "I'll Drink Your Bathwater" (just to prove my love for you) is another. Having said that, is it just me - or does the latter of those two sound worse than the first? Oh, what the heck.....all that matters is that this track kicked some blues butt. It's nearly eight minutes of slow scorching blues, highlighted by sharp and piercing harp from Buddy, orgasmic organ leads from Joey and scorching blues guitar leads from Neil. And by the way, as enthusiastic and heartfelt as his vocals were, I believe he'd drink it.
"I Can't Turn My Back" (On The Blues) is another of the discs best. With fierce rhythm going on behind them, Paul, Joey and Neil heat it up while passing the lead around from the organ, to the piano, to the guitar and back around again. This is some real hot stuff, especially with the heat comin' outta those Union Street Horns.


In spite of Neil tearing it up on guitar and vocals and a few nice harp leads, "Dance Monkey Dance" is highlighted by the wicked percussion. Joey, Doc and Matt are all over the organ, bass and drums on yet another smoker.
With so many clubs closing and festivals being canceled, I sure wish I could hear more people saying "The Blues Is My Business" (And Business Is Good). In any event, The Porkroll Project certainly do this cover justice and obviously, from what I just heard on "Shake It Twice", the blues is their business and business is good.
Other tracks on "Shake It Twice" include: "Evil Woman Blues", "Shake It Twice", "Walking The Dog", "Two Weeks Notice" and "Vehicle". You can check out The Porkroll Project by going to www.porkroll-blues.com. Once you're there, I suggest you: wish the band good luck at the 2010 IBC's as the Diamond States representatives; buy the CD, of course; and tell them the Blewzzman sent ya.
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
- Peter Lauro for Mary4Music.com

Although it's been some time since we've heard from them, members of The Porkroll Project, individually and collectively, are seasoned veterans here at www.Mary4Music.com. One way or another, searching our archives will find many of these fellows names, and it's certainly a pleasure to be hearing from them again.
The 2009 version of the band consists of: Paul Matecki on piano and lead vocals; Neil Taylor on guitar and lead & background vocals; Joey Stout on organ and lead & background vocals; Ed Young on bass; Chad Edstrom, J. T. Thomas and Matt DelCollo on drums; Buddy Cleveland on harp; Doc White on bass and lead vocals; and the Union Street Horns, which include: Joe Anderson and Paul Giess on trumpet; Steven Sharp on trombone; and Dave Renz and Paul Cleveland on tenor sax.
"Shake It Twice", the bands latest effort, contains six original tracks and four familiar covers. On the opening track, "My Daddy Was The Postman", I get the impression a lot of "male" may have been being delivered by this mailman. This one's a smoker on which the hot rhythm, fiery guitar and keyboard leads, and rippin' harp are definitely going to have you shaking it.....a lot more than twice.
In blues songs, some very profound lyrics have been used when paying a compliment to someone, or emphasizing the love one may feel for another. "I'd Rather Go Blind" (than to see you walk away) is one example and "I'll Drink Your Bathwater" (just to prove my love for you) is another. Having said that, is it just me - or does the latter of those two sound worse than the first? Oh, what the heck.....all that matters is that this track kicked some blues butt. It's nearly eight minutes of slow scorching blues, highlighted by sharp and piercing harp from Buddy, orgasmic organ leads from Joey and scorching blues guitar leads from Neil. And by the way, as enthusiastic and heartfelt as his vocals were, I believe he'd drink it.
"I Can't Turn My Back" (On The Blues) is another of the discs best. With fierce rhythm going on behind them, Paul, Joey and Neil heat it up while passing the lead around from the organ, to the piano, to the guitar and back around again. This is some real hot stuff, especially with the heat comin' outta those Union Street Horns.


In spite of Neil tearing it up on guitar and vocals and a few nice harp leads, "Dance Monkey Dance" is highlighted by the wicked percussion. Joey, Doc and Matt are all over the organ, bass and drums on yet another smoker.
With so many clubs closing and festivals being canceled, I sure wish I could hear more people saying "The Blues Is My Business" (And Business Is Good). In any event, The Porkroll Project certainly do this cover justice and obviously, from what I just heard on "Shake It Twice", the blues is their business and business is good.
Other tracks on "Shake It Twice" include: "Evil Woman Blues", "Shake It Twice", "Walking The Dog", "Two Weeks Notice" and "Vehicle". You can check out The Porkroll Project by going to www.porkroll-blues.com. Once you're there, I suggest you: wish the band good luck at the 2010 IBC's as the Diamond States representatives; buy the CD, of course; and tell them the Blewzzman sent ya.
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
- Peter Lauro for Mary4Music.com

While I was reading through the names of the players and special guests that make up the PORK ROLL PROJECT, several of the names sounded a bit familiar to this usually very forgetful person. Further investigation revealed that indeed, three of the personnel were involved with other ensembles that I have favorably reviewed in the past. Therefore, before even spinning the disc, I already had a good idea that once again, I'd be listening to some real good music. Those names by the way are NEIL "PORKROLL" TAYLOR (guitar) and PAUL MATECKI (piano, guitar and vocals) - formerly reviewed while with 'Melissa Martin and the Rhythm Kings for www.mary4music.com - and special guest MISTY "MISS T" AKERS - formerly reviewed with 'Miss T and the Mosquitoes' for www.BluesWax.com.
...
The opening track on "PORK ROLL PROJECT", one of eight originals out of twelve tracks, is a fast and furious funky number called "BORN READY" and from the sound of it, these guys certainly were born ready - ready to play some smokin' music that is. This one features the whole band at their best - the vocals are vigorous, the guitar work is gritty, the harmonica is hot and the rhythm section - led by JOEY on the organ - rips it up. I admire a band that has the courage to open with what may very well be the best track on the CD. That's confidence!
...

"YOU AIN'T SEEN MEAN", is one of the more straight up blues tracks and for that reason alone it is another one of my favorites. I'm sorry to say that with three members of the band listed as vocalists and none of them mentioned as the lead vocalist, I don't know who to give credit to for the fabulous singing on this track. JOEY once again puts on a heck of a performance on the organ and NEIL'S guitar work is absolutely amazing.

"HAVE ANOTHER BEER", advice that I always try to follow, is a very well done, slow, bluesy ballad. This one, in addition to the usual smokin' guitars and harmonica, features some excellent piano playing by PAUL.

"GOOD MORNING BLUES", closes out the "PORK ROLL PROJECT" just like it started, with a smoker. This one is a red-hot shuffle that, unless it's in a coma, is impossible for a body to not respond to. Mine was shaking so much I had to stop typing. It's songs like these that make doing these reviews take so long. Counting the six times I hit replay on this one, it added a good thirty minutes.

Other tracks that appear on "PORK ROLL PROJECT" are "AIN'T MOVIN', JUST GROOVIN", "SOLITARY MAN", "PRODIGAL SON BLUES", "ON A ROLL", "WHAT THE BLUES IS ALL ABOUT", "THE LETTER" and "MIDDLE MAN BLUES".

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
BluesWax Contributing Writer
www.mary4music.com - Peter Lauro

While I was reading through the names of the players and special guests that make up the PORK ROLL PROJECT, several of the names sounded a bit familiar to this usually very forgetful person. Further investigation revealed that indeed, three of the personnel were involved with other ensembles that I have favorably reviewed in the past. Therefore, before even spinning the disc, I already had a good idea that once again, I'd be listening to some real good music. Those names by the way are NEIL "PORKROLL" TAYLOR (guitar) and PAUL MATECKI (piano, guitar and vocals) - formerly reviewed while with 'Melissa Martin and the Rhythm Kings for www.mary4music.com - and special guest MISTY "MISS T" AKERS - formerly reviewed with 'Miss T and the Mosquitoes' for www.BluesWax.com.
...
The opening track on "PORK ROLL PROJECT", one of eight originals out of twelve tracks, is a fast and furious funky number called "BORN READY" and from the sound of it, these guys certainly were born ready - ready to play some smokin' music that is. This one features the whole band at their best - the vocals are vigorous, the guitar work is gritty, the harmonica is hot and the rhythm section - led by JOEY on the organ - rips it up. I admire a band that has the courage to open with what may very well be the best track on the CD. That's confidence!
...

"YOU AIN'T SEEN MEAN", is one of the more straight up blues tracks and for that reason alone it is another one of my favorites. I'm sorry to say that with three members of the band listed as vocalists and none of them mentioned as the lead vocalist, I don't know who to give credit to for the fabulous singing on this track. JOEY once again puts on a heck of a performance on the organ and NEIL'S guitar work is absolutely amazing.

"HAVE ANOTHER BEER", advice that I always try to follow, is a very well done, slow, bluesy ballad. This one, in addition to the usual smokin' guitars and harmonica, features some excellent piano playing by PAUL.

"GOOD MORNING BLUES", closes out the "PORK ROLL PROJECT" just like it started, with a smoker. This one is a red-hot shuffle that, unless it's in a coma, is impossible for a body to not respond to. Mine was shaking so much I had to stop typing. It's songs like these that make doing these reviews take so long. Counting the six times I hit replay on this one, it added a good thirty minutes.

Other tracks that appear on "PORK ROLL PROJECT" are "AIN'T MOVIN', JUST GROOVIN", "SOLITARY MAN", "PRODIGAL SON BLUES", "ON A ROLL", "WHAT THE BLUES IS ALL ABOUT", "THE LETTER" and "MIDDLE MAN BLUES".

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
BluesWax Contributing Writer
www.mary4music.com - Peter Lauro

Having booked The Porkroll Project (and their former incarnation Mudboy) on soon to be three of my Annual Bandana Blues BBQ's, I testify to the fact they are a tough act to follow. PRP possess a healthy respect for the blues, plus songwriting that contains the essence of real life in all its irony. Add their deep in-the-pocket-grooves and you have the extremely tasty Porkroll Project. Put that on a potato roll please!

Beardo
Senior Contributing Editor of Blueswax
- Beardo

Having booked The Porkroll Project (and their former incarnation Mudboy) on soon to be three of my Annual Bandana Blues BBQ's, I testify to the fact they are a tough act to follow. PRP possess a healthy respect for the blues, plus songwriting that contains the essence of real life in all its irony. Add their deep in-the-pocket-grooves and you have the extremely tasty Porkroll Project. Put that on a potato roll please!

Beardo
Senior Contributing Editor of Blueswax
- Beardo

Liked so much-bought another one to give as a Christmas gift
author: SanMar
Heard them for the first time and they played songs from this CD at a festival in Delaware and had to get it. All of the songs are great and get you moving. I especially like the opening song Born Ready and What the Blues is All About.

Down in the alley, greasy, fat-drippin' rockin' blues!
author: Ted Todd
Greasy, grimy, dirty dancin' tunes throughout, have played Born Ready; Ain't Movin', Just Groovin'; Filthy Rich/Dirt Poor; and You Ain't Seen Mean on my Blues Show on commercial radio, have plans to play more. This release gits it!

surprisingly professional-grade
author: mo
i first heard these guys on a "blues revue" sampler. they sounded good, so i bought the disc. for a small-time local band, the engineering and song-writing are professional grade. porky's guitar work is excellent. the rest of the band is tight. buy it.

Wow! What a Surprise!
author: Larry Linn
I'm not an expert but I know what I like and this was the best surprise for rock and roll blues I've ever experienced!
- CDBaby.com

Liked so much-bought another one to give as a Christmas gift
author: SanMar
Heard them for the first time and they played songs from this CD at a festival in Delaware and had to get it. All of the songs are great and get you moving. I especially like the opening song Born Ready and What the Blues is All About.

Down in the alley, greasy, fat-drippin' rockin' blues!
author: Ted Todd
Greasy, grimy, dirty dancin' tunes throughout, have played Born Ready; Ain't Movin', Just Groovin'; Filthy Rich/Dirt Poor; and You Ain't Seen Mean on my Blues Show on commercial radio, have plans to play more. This release gits it!

surprisingly professional-grade
author: mo
i first heard these guys on a "blues revue" sampler. they sounded good, so i bought the disc. for a small-time local band, the engineering and song-writing are professional grade. porky's guitar work is excellent. the rest of the band is tight. buy it.

Wow! What a Surprise!
author: Larry Linn
I'm not an expert but I know what I like and this was the best surprise for rock and roll blues I've ever experienced!
- CDBaby.com