RENÉ VERREAULT BAND
I Sat Down and Cried
Self-produced
René Verreault is a musician, guitarist, and singer from the Québec region, active for many years. He came to blues fairly recently and quickly developed a taste for it. On this album, his band consists of experienced musicians: Luc Tremblay on drums, organ, and production, as well as Jean-Pierre Bisson on bass. I Sat Down and Cried is the band’s first album, featuring eight original tracks by Verreault, collectively refined. He is supported by Christine Powers on lyrics, and the three musicians share the music credits. Seven of the selections are in English, with the eighth being a short instrumental that closes the record.
The album was completed just in time for their participation in the 2024 Donnacona International Blues Festival. The recording, leaning towards a blues-rock style, kicks off with a sense of urgency in the track Save Me, where the three musicians fuse together energetically! The experience of these seasoned veterans quickly shows through the cohesion and dynamism of their performance.
Among the well-executed selections, two tracks particularly caught my attention: the title track I Sat Down and Cried with its organ-guitar approach supported by a solid rhythm section, instinctively bringing Gary Moore to mind. In it, he sings:
I have so much to say, so much I wanna do I need to do what it takes and find the words to tell you.
The other standout track, autobiographical in nature, is Nine Lives,
5 times in a plane, 3 times in a car,
8 times in my life, 8 times I almost die
René Verreault, in addition to being an excellent guitarist, is also a pilot. As a bush pilot, he traveled extensively in the North! The band is soaring high with strong tailwinds! A second album is already in the works!
Wishing René Verreault Band a great ninth life and beyond!
You can reach him at: reneverreault@gmail.com
