Review: Chad Rupp And The Sugar Roots – Gate C23
Chad RuppAnd The Sugar Roots – Gate C23
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Lightning In A Bottle Records
Release: 2023
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
Portland-based multi-instrumentalist Chad Rupp releases what I believe is his third record (Devil ‘Won’t Get You’ was released in 2023, ‘The Sugar Roots: Savage’s Life’ in 2021).
I must say, this record is a nice surprise. The Portland blues scene is a lively one and Chad apparently is a central figure in it. He surrounds himself with fine musicians and even started a record label (Lightning In A Bottle Records) to support musical growth in other musicians. He himself was 17 when he knew he wanted to play the blues.
Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters hit him and when his brother introduced him to SRV, it was done. Before that, it was hair metal he wanted to get into (oeps!).
Eight originals on this record he wrote in two weeks and three covers that mean a lot to him (14 Dollars In The Bank by Paul Delay, Blind Crippled & Crazy by O.V. Wright and She Is The One by Roland Stone).
The originals are all autobiographical, good material. For example, the title song (Gate C23) is about a nice woman (Carla!) getting him on a plane to Memphis in time.
Chad knows how to write a song one can relate to. He and his band are currently doing their thing on a semi-professional basis meaning that after a day’s work the music business starts. “Challenge is money”, he says. But he’s been in music for over 30 years and still loves doing it. “When you are a musician, you are my family” he says.
Chad is a strong supporter of live music and a fierce player and singer. His approach to the blues is modern; it is soul-infused, funky, personal and danceable. Go see him when he is around!
His advice to young musicians? “Dress nicely and smile, you’re the lion!”
Tracks:
01. Fresh Suits
02. She Is The One
03. She Got That Business Handled
04. Gate C23
05. 14 Dollars In The Bank
06. Blues City Cafe
07. Do Whatcha Daddy Say
08. You’ll Be Singing My Songs
09. 2 Inches Shy A Foot
10. Fat Kid Boogie
11. Blind, Crippled, and Crazy