Making a chartable stance in the blues world, Sunny Bleau and The Moons are set to launch their new album “Slow Burn” in early 2023. However, fans and new listeners will get teased with the release of their first single off the record, “Rollin’ Baby Blues.” A writer once wrote that a blues vocalist has a weary woeful voice, with a life-is-hard delivery. There is simply not a better way to describe Sunny Bleau’s voice on this traditional blues track. Inspired by the legendary Robert Johnson and B.B. King, this original song is about as spot-on-blues as one can get. Along with Sunny Bleau’s rich and sultry vocals, the multi-layered guitar work of Nicholas Cocco is nothing short of stellar, giving the standard-like blues song a fresh feel. “The primary focus of our first album was to introduce the voice of Sunny Bleau and my words as a story teller,” says the gutsy front woman. “On “Slow Burn” our intention is to significantly showcase not only the vocals but the incredible musicianship of the band.” Notably guitarist Nicholas Cocco, who also plays bass and keyboards and who acts as the producer and arranger for the entire album. On drums is Paul Kastick who is the legendary Jamaican drummer who also performs with Maxi Priest, Enigma, and Freddie MacGregor, just to name a few.
“Rollin’ Baby Blues” unearths a simple blues chord progression that Cocco weaves around with unworldly guitar work. If you don’t hear Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King or any of the other great blues guitarists, you haven’t listened well enough. Cocco sears through this song like there was no other. He bends notes, improvises over the chord progression multiple times, and just slides up and down the neck while presenting furious, yet distinguished riffs. It’s hard not to want to see him perform this song “live.” While Kastick is heavily influenced by the music he grew up listening to in Montego Bay, he solidly upholds the rich cultural traditions of blues drumming. He plays with a certain sound and attitude, making his licks count, groovy and gritty. Both Cocco and Kastick shape the overall roots from which Sunny Bleau herself finds safe passage. She is allowed to spread the wings of her vocal runs, also known as “melisma.” She does it gracefully but meaningfully. Sunny Bleau never comes up short. Just when you think she’ll crack, she’s still up there soaring throughout the song. None of this could be accomplished without solid teamwork. For anyone who thinks blues is a simple genre of music, pay attention to this song. “Rollin’ Baby Blues” may sound like something you know, but it is totally pristine while maintaining the standard of great blues music.
As Sunny Bleau says, “We really wanted to give this entire album an analog sound. We pour in our influences from artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, and Paul Rodgers just to name a few. Not to be cliche’ we wanted the record to be true blue!” The song “Rollin’ Baby Blues” is true and obviously coming from a place of struggle and pain, which could be the overall theme of the entire album. This first release however, is a great foundation for everything else to land. It is the carrot before the horse, and if one listens to it long enough and often, the yearning to get it all will follow. As they state, “We want to make the effort of creating music that is for everyone to enjoy, while at the same time trying to stay faithful to our core music of roots, blues, and rock.”
While “Slow Burn” is only the second album by Sunny Bleau and The Moons, their first “Breakfast Served Cold” was a chart buster and remains so. Released in October of 2021, the album and every song on it were charted multiple times on the National Single Charts (Roots Music Report). On the home front, they were number one in Michigan on several occasions. This made way for them to perform and open for #1 Billboard Blues Artist Anthony Gomes and also Grammy nominated Thornetta Davis. Sunny Bleau also had the opportunity to sing on stage with Lady A in Memphis, TN. Sunny Bleau is a member of The Blues Foundation, Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive, National Women in Blues, and a member of several local blues societies. Sunny Bleau expresses, “It is such a humbling experience when people of Gomes and Davis stature ask you to share the same stage.I’m also thrilled that our music continues to be on the play list of radio stations around the world, as well as digital distribution platforms that get our music out on in a global scale.” While Sunny Bleau and The Moons have performed throughout the Midwest and eastern portions of the United States, including iconic venues and festivals in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and New York, the goal with “Slow Burn” is to expand both their radio and performance footprint throughout the country and Europe.
Sunny Bleau and The Moons have socials on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (@BleauSunny) and listeners can find their music streamings on all major platforms. Performances are posted on SongKick and BandsInTown, and highlight reels and interviews can be seen on YouTube. Official music videos are also available to watch on SunnyBleauVevo.In addition, show dates and band merchandise can be found at Sunnybleau.com.
