Great Day In The Morning! “Don’t want those apocalyptic views, no time for that doom and gloom news.” We’ll it’s certain that we all need to turn the corner—in fact, our session for this record was postponed due to hurricane Sandy. So—with the help of Margey Peters—I whipped up a batch of new songs, and chose three tunes I’ve always loved*, for what has to be positively our most feel-good album yet! I play more bottleneck than ever on this recording. We dip into a variety of feels. Of course we play the blues. I wrote a new one, “Sit Down And Talk”, as well as covering Tampa Red’s “Anna Lou”, which is the antecedent of “Anna Lee”, and possibly the first song to “Go to Louisiana and get me a mojo hand”. (You’ll hear that in the bridge.) There’s folk blues, some fun swings and rags, and even one song with a Soca flavor, “It’s A Good Life”. And of course, good old American roots ‘n’ roll! I gathered some of my favorite musicians—who also happen to be some of the world’s nicest people—and went into producer Dave Gross’ Fat Rabbit studios to make our 4th CD. Master violinist Charles Burnham plays with us on five numbers, and his romping fiddle is a joy to hear. It’s been my consistent pleasure to play with crackerjack drummer Bill Rankin. Ace horn players Matt Cowan and Jim Davis are again on hand. The very creative Michael Bram plays mandolin on two of the songs, and the supremely versatile V.D. King lends just the right twang on banjolele. Margey’s on electric bass, while producer Dave Gross handles upright bass duties when she plays “second fiddle.” Wonderful singers Christine Santelli and Gina Sicilia add a harmonious touch to two songs. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Jeremy Baum stopped by the studio to drop off his B3—and jumped on keys for a couple of numbers. All in all, it was a “Great Day In The Morning”! -Brad Vickers 2013 Special Note: *All proceeds from bonus track “Dallas Blues”, which we had released digitally in March 2012 celebrating the centennial of this “first published blues”, will continue to benefit The Blues Foundation’s H.A.R.T. Fund for musicians with medical needs. What the Press Has To Say: Here's what the reviewers, DJs, and fans have to say about Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans' music: “Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans deliver another batch of honest, irresistible blues” —Tom Hyslop, BLUES REVUE “Gets better each time you listen.” —Richard Thomas, BLUES MATTERS “Plenty of instrumental sass by way of Vickers’ astute acoustic picking and sax man Jim Davis’ sonic strut…” —Mark Uricheck, LIVING BLUES “Their best so far. Each disc has improved upon its predecessor, but this one will be hard to top.” –Graham Clarke, BLUES BYTES “You could put any track on the player and enjoy it. Highly recommended.” –John Mitchell BLUES BLAST US "This “rootsy” group settles themselves firmly in the “Masters” category. Vickers is a natural.” –Marcie Geukens, ROOTSTIME Belgium “A set of “old school” blues and R&B that can’t fail to delight.” –Mick Rainsford, BLUES IN BRITAIN UK “A real success and a group to discover right away.” –Bernard Boyat, BLUES MAGAZINE France “Guardian of The Flame. An exciting recreation of those jug, ragtime, and old timey bands that first educated me in the 1960s and ’70s.” –Richard Ludmerer, BLUESWAX US “Brad Vickers is an artist who quietly creeps under your skin.” –Rune Endal, BLUES NEWS Norway “Brad thanks those...from whom he has learned so well. They would be damn proud of this release.” –Chef Jimi Patricola, BLUES 411 US “Vickers expertly conjures his heroes on originals... and receives superb support from his band.” –Bob Weinberg, JAZZ/BLUES FLORIDA US “A true one-of-a-kind band, mixing and mastering wildly divergent styles, always sounding credible, and never mass-produced.” –Roger & Margaret White, BIG CITY RHYTHM & BLUES US “‘Traveling Fool’ is simply wonderful. One can hardly withdraw oneself from the disc.” –ROCKIN’ BLUES Germany “A highly-entertaining set of vintage rockin’ blues that’s guaranteed to liven up your next party!” –Sheryl & Don Crow, NASHVILLE BLUES SOCIETY US “Very fine songs...perfect for airplay...irresistible instrumentals!” –Roberto Rossi, MYSTERY TRAIN, Italy “Just what the people want, and never tire of. 4 Stars.” -Bernard Boyat, SUR LA ROUTE DE MEMPHIS, France “This is the kind of music that gladdens the heart.” –Stuart Hamilton, ROCKIN’ THE BLUES “A well-thought-out collection of amusing and witty tunes. Highest praise!” –BLUES VAN, Hungary “If rootsy, Americana and early rock-influenced blues is your thing, this...will make you swing.” –Dave Rubin, GUITARINSTRUCTOR.COM “Great music, that reminds me of the laid back Chess Records of the 50s and early 60s.” –Henrik Linden RED HOT ROCK, Sweden “Masterly work from all band members. This one should be a must-see-live band.” –Steven ‘Nick’ Nickerson, WYCE MUSIC JOURNAL US “…Straight up, well-executed rock’n’roll. The rhythm section is solid and the saxophone work gives the underbelly of the music plenty of life… executed with taste and professionalism.” -David Hintz, FOLKWORLD “A steady and enjoyable cruise through authentically traditional blues, rockabilly, honky-tonk and ragtime numbers. `Don’t Take My Cadillac’ stands out as the best of [Vickers’] own songs... Leroy Carr’s plaintive ballad `How Long Blues’ is well done too, with some nice interplay between the guitar and Jim Davis’s clarinet.” -Neil B. LEICESTER BANGS, UK “Perfectly captures the spirit of early rock instrumentals, channeling Duane Eddy, the Ventures and Booker T. and the MGs, and they’re just as much fun as those old gems, with lots of burning guitar and sax breaks.” —George Kopp ELMORE MAGAZINE Review Blog US “The Vestapolitans, have the amazing ability to carry on the traditions and sounds of an older style of music without their efforts ever sounding pre-planned or forced. Playing this music just comes naturally to them. Give a big shout out to producer Dave Gross and V.D. King for the job they did mixing this album. Every instrument is represented so wonderfully, and nothing is masked by someone else's playing—It's truly impressive work. I have to take time to mention...Don't Take My Cadillac... it is without question my favorite tune on this record, and that's saying something, because these songs are all phenomenal. "Don't Take My Cadillac" is the perfect storm of songwriting, arranging and performance, crafting what would have become a timeless smash hit had it been released in the height of the Chess era. This song is an instant classic! Standout Tracks: All of them! Personal favorites include "Don't Take My Cadillac," "Low Down Dirty Shame," "Without Moolah," and "In My Dream" “ -Johnny Full-time, FULL-TIME BLUES RADIO “This is a very fine, good-timing, and extremely entertaining set. As I said the last time I reviewed one of Brad’s albums – more please!” -Norman Darwen, BLUES & RHYTHM, UK “ I'm transported indeed to a romantic and uniquely American road trip. There's no need for hurry---we done forgot where it was we were going anyhow! But oh the sights along the way! And all of those hip joints we got to stop and hang-out at! Folks back home are gonna love hearin' some of these tales! That's the takeaway for me now playing the Vestapolitans as sonic wallpaper in my shop right now...I'm “THERE!!” " -Dale Thomas Rates in BLUES 411 US “Just plain, enjoyable music! A vaired and enjoyable CD. The use of the horn section reminds you of the glory days of Chess in the fifties and sixties." - Eric Campfens BARN OWL BLUES, Holland "Everything is executed and arranged so that you have the impression you're right in the middle of American music! This can surely satisfy most connoisseurs of the the beautiful music of the pre-war era, and multiple styles of roots music." -Piotr Gwizdala TWOJ BLUES, Poland “Keeps you excited not only for the song you are hearing, but also excited with anticipation for the next track to come… Traveling Fool” is simply a tour de force . Highly Recommended for the sheer Fun and Enjoyment of it. -John Vermilyea BLUES UNDERGROUND NETWORK Fun, unaffected dance music you will enjoy listening to again and again. it will immediately grab all listeners. GREAT. -Vicente Zumel, LA HORA DEL BLUES Spain The very first jump jive song out of the box ("Traveling Fool") elicits that primal urge to toe-tap or more. Really tight group, and the sax just smokes. This is one band that should be a must-see-live band. That's my two nickels worth! -Steven "Nick" Nickelson: WYCE MUSIC JOURNAL Grand Rapids, MI “This album called ‘Traveling Fool” is fabulous.! Thanks for the music and your wonderful band, The Vestapolitans. Keep playing those blues”. -Pat St John SIRIUS /XM radio Love the production of this, old school. I like Brad and a bunch of the musician's on this disc, Some good songs n good feel. Great cover art, which i think is important. Damn good! -Todd Wolfe WLVR Brad and His Vestapolitans keep honing their unique sound. Great to finally have their new disc on the air!!! -Mike Reisz “Blues All Over The Place” WDPS Dayton, Ohio Your new disc arrived yesterday, and you guys just "Knocked My Socks Off”!!! I think this is another super disc from you! -Peggy Nagel KAFM Grand Junction, CO I love the album and its songs – they are so joyful and happy. With Bobby Radcliff again as a guest star “Traveling Fool” is a fully satisfying blues release –played by a pro and produced by a pro. -Przmek Draheim RADIO SFERA Poland “Intelligent, lofty, & very ‘30s Jazz-Ragtime!” —Andre Hobus, SOULBAG “Few bands can cover more than a half-century of blues styles and give each its own authentic reincarnation. This sets Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans apart from every other blues band in the land.” —Roger & Margaret White, BIG CITY BLUES “Seduces you from the first songs, scores a direct hit!” —Marcie Geukens, ROOTSTIME “One of the most uninhibited, original works of these years!” —Eduardo Fassio, IL BLUES “New York based singer/guitarist Brad and his versatile group impressed me with their debut ‘Le Blues Hot’, they do it again with their new release” —Norman Darwin, BLUES & RHYTHM “Several—make that many—replays were in order… The disc closes out with an all-out jam,‘I’m A Love You’. On this one, it’s Brad on top of his game with the guitar.” —Peter ‘Blewzzman’ Lauro, MARY4MUSIC “A CD by a fabulous musician!” —Przemek Draheim, RADIO SFERA “They are the real deal blues-early-rock-and-roll torch carriers...a consistent, danceable, boogie-woogie, foot-tapping, thigh-slapping cacophony on every track.” —Belinda Foster, ILLINOIS BLUES BLAST “Fresh-astounding-amazing and unusual!”—Alain Mallaret, BIG BEAT “A great sound, and a lot of fun, spirited tunes.” —Bill Nolan, WPKN/WPKM “Outstanding musicians!” —Vincent Zumel, L’HORA del BLUES “Brilliant and wide-ranging, ‘Stuck With The Blues’ is a perfect sequel to the amazing ‘Le Blues Hot’” —Roberto Rossi, RADIO PNR “Would add magic to any party. The interpretations never lose their footing bringing genuine warmth and emotion to the rich mix of tunes.” —Mik the Who, DUBLIN CITY RADIO “One of my favorites of the year!” —Olivia Greene, WWOZ