Reviews of No Pork Tonight
Martin Pugh - Guitar and Co-Producer
Stan Ruffo - Bass, Drums, Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, Synths, and Co-Producer
Offical release date - July 4, 2006
From the web site, La Hora Del Blues
by Vincente P. Zumel
Barcelona, SPAIN
In Spanish:
Este es un álbum donde ambos músicos han unido sus fuerzas con ilusión y el interés común de ofrecernos un gratificante trabajo lleno de ‘swing’, ‘feeling’ y mucho, pero que mucho, blues. Guitarra, armónica y voz se entrelazan y se apoyan de forma natural e impecable, dando como resultado esta pequeña joya con sólo nueve canciones, que deja un grato sabor de boca pero que desgraciadamente sabe a poco. El dúo está respaldado por el buen hacer y la profesionalidad de un puñado de excelentes músicos que dan el soporte adecuado para que todo suene ensamblado y bien construido. Los que estais metidos de lleno en el mundo del blues, sé que conoceís sobradamente el historial de estos dos músicos, pero para aquellos que no esten demasiado familiarizados con Martin y Stann, sólo mencionar que en los sesenta y setenta Stan militó en los ‘Steamhammer’, compartiendo filas con Rod Stewart y, por su parte, Martin estuvo en los ‘Yardbirds’. Un disco realizado con respeto, reverencia y honestidad hacia el blues y lo que esta música representa en sus vidas. MUY BUENO. - Vincente P. Zumel
In English:
Martin and Stan have joined forces with the hope of produce a gratifying piece of work full of swing, great feeling and a lot of blues. Guitar, harmonica and voice perfectly combine on this faultless small treasure with only nine songs, which leave a delicious taste on the mouth but unfortunately it is not much to satisfy us. Both artists are backed by a bunch of very professional good musicians who give the best support to get a well teamed perfectly built songs. Those of you who are involved in blues music already know Martin Pugh and Stan Rufo but for those of you who are not familiar with them, only mention Stan was member of ‘The Steamhammer’ together with Rod Stewart during the sixties and seventies and Martin was also playing with ‘The Yardbirds’ at that time. An honest cd which pays a respectful tribute to blues music, always present on both musician lives. GREAT. - Vincente P. Zumel
From the magazine, Blues In Britain
by Norman Darwen
This is a successful Anglo-American collaboration from guitarist Pugh (ex-Steamhammer, Rod Stewart, and Armageddon, the latter with ex-Yardbird Keith Relf), and Ruffo, a Californian ex-truck driver turned harp and sax player. The cover informs the listener that the CD contain 'modern blues with reverence for tradition!' and all the material is original, Ruffo supplying five numbers, Pugh three and one collaboration between the two. The main influence on the duo's music seems to be the sound of the sixties Chess blues 45s - particularly Howling Wolf's, though for the inventive musical arrangements rather than the leader's vocals. That is no bad thing in my book, particularly when it is combined with sly humour, as it is in several instances here. There is also a brief nod to western swing and a couple of references to Steamin' Stan's former mode of employment - none of these songs should be taken too seriously, not even the almost 'progressive blues' of the closing track "Torn Pages", at getting on for nine minutes nearly twice the duration of the next longest. That statement should not be taken as implying that this set is not worth hearing; on the contrary, it is an attractive and very enjoyable CD from two masterful musicians and a fine but unfortunately anonymous band! - Rating: 8 - Norman Darwen
From the web site, BluesBytes
by Graham Clarke
Martin Pugh and Stan Ruffo started out half a world apart (Pugh in England and Ruffo in California), but their love for 50’s-era blues eventually brought them together. Their latest release, No Pork Tonight (Sho’ Nuff Records), is an entertaining look at that era of music, with a few modern touches mixed in.
Pugh has a varied background, having played with Carl Douglas of “Kung Fu Fighting” fame as well as serving as lead guitarist on Rod Stewart’s first solo album. He also recorded with the 60’s/70’s blues/rock group Sledgehammer and with Armageddon (formed by Pugh with former Yardbird Keith Relf), before stepping back to pursue other interests. Ruffo emerged in the early 90’s and quickly established himself as an entertainer and harmonica player in the central California area. Ruffo encouraged Pugh to pick up his guitar again and the two paired up and have been playing locally and sharing billing at dates with artists like B. B. King and Ray Charles.
Pugh plays tasteful leads and fills throughout on a series of terrific instrumentals. The jaunty “MP’s Hideout” will have you jumping, while “No Pork Tonight,” is a jazzy, introspective number, and “Breakfast On Beale” is a soulful tribute to the Bluff City. Ruffo proves himself to be a pretty entertaining composer and has a singing style that will remind you of Little Charlie Baty on tracks like “Just My Luck,” Pot Belly Pig,” and “Little Man In The Boat.” He’s a first-rate harmonica player and also doubles on saxophone on a few tracks, including the instrumental “Pork Ribs.” The closing track, “Torn Pages,” has more of a modern rock feel to it, and shows that the duo is comfortable playing modern sounds as well.
This is an impressive disc of blues by two seasoned veterans that pays tribute to a style that’s all too rarely heard today. For more information about this album, go to Stan Ruffo’s website, www.ruffo.com.
by Graham Clarke
Martin Pugh and Stan Ruffo started out half a world apart (Pugh in England and Ruffo in California), but their love for 50’s-era blues eventually brought them together. Their latest release, No Pork Tonight (Sho’ Nuff Records), is an entertaining look at that era of music, with a few modern touches mixed in.
Pugh has a varied background, having played with Carl Douglas of “Kung Fu Fighting” fame as well as serving as lead guitarist on Rod Stewart’s first solo album. He also recorded with the 60’s/70’s blues/rock group Sledgehammer and with Armageddon (formed by Pugh with former Yardbird Keith Relf), before stepping back to pursue other interests. Ruffo emerged in the early 90’s and quickly established himself as an entertainer and harmonica player in the central California area. Ruffo encouraged Pugh to pick up his guitar again and the two paired up and have been playing locally and sharing billing at dates with artists like B. B. King and Ray Charles.
Pugh plays tasteful leads and fills throughout on a series of terrific instrumentals. The jaunty “MP’s Hideout” will have you jumping, while “No Pork Tonight,” is a jazzy, introspective number, and “Breakfast On Beale” is a soulful tribute to the Bluff City. Ruffo proves himself to be a pretty entertaining composer and has a singing style that will remind you of Little Charlie Baty on tracks like “Just My Luck,” Pot Belly Pig,” and “Little Man In The Boat.” He’s a first-rate harmonica player and also doubles on saxophone on a few tracks, including the instrumental “Pork Ribs.” The closing track, “Torn Pages,” has more of a modern rock feel to it, and shows that the duo is comfortable playing modern sounds as well.
This is an impressive disc of blues by two seasoned veterans that pays tribute to a style that’s all too rarely heard today. For more information about this album, go to Stan Ruffo’s website, www.ruffo.com.
