Singer/guitarist Doug Chapline leads this 9-piece band through it's second recording in a live performance before a large, enthusiastic audience. The band's other singer, Jerri-Sue Dawson, takes the feature role on nine tracks. Audio samples from all 13 selections are available at www.renojones.com.

Reno Jones sets this November 2002 weekend on fire. R&B, Pop ballads, and sultry blues impressions capture the imagination. Chapline and Dawson sing with genuine authority. "Route 66," "Since You've Been Gone," "Honey Hush," and "Little By Little" come with enjoyable soundscapes. Baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, tenor sax, piano, bass, drums, and guitar fill all the holes in these arrangements.

The band stretches out in both group and individual expression. Tenor sax solos by Mark "Junior" Norris leave an indelible impression. The band is at its best on "Can't Get Next To You," where Dawson and Chapline share the vocal lead. Sizzling guitar jams, a driving drumbeat, and throbbing, doubled bass lines give the song motion and a superb, dramatic character. Furthermore, the band's exciting jams stand for something special, as a result of the ever-present appreciation exhibited by their audience.

Joining the band and its audience while listening to their recorded performance, we get to experience all the fun that took place that weekend at C.I.W., without coming to terms with any unpleasantness that may surround such an institution.

-- Jim Santella