What Critics are Saying About
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
new CD EVENING

“With absolutely wonderful material, a band on fire, and one of the best singers and harmonica players around, there’s not a weak or uninspired moment to be found here. EVENING is a virtual object lesson in how to get it right, delivered by a master at the top of his game. The blues simply don’t get much better than this.
Don’t miss it!”
John Taylor, Blinded By Sound

EVENING borders on being
a primer on old,old,old school blues. It’s spare but melodic,
gritty but tuneful, familiar
but fresh, especially
with the vocal delivery and lyrics.”
Dr. Wesley Britton, Bookpleasures.com

“I just can’t stop listening to EVENING. Get it when you can
—you won’t regret it.”
Bill Mitchell, Blues Bytes

“This is a red-hot cracker-jack band and all the tunes have the main ingredients for a hit record: growling guitar, romping piano, a powerful rhythm section and the harp and voice of a legend.”
A.J. Wachel, Boston Blues Society

“You can’t go wrong
with The Bluetones.”
Bob Coffey, Baltimore Blues Society

*********************

Recent Quotes
about Sugar Ray Norcia

“Sugar Ray has a fine lyrical sense, avoiding typical blues clichés
with songs that exhibit
both wit and wisdom”
John Taylor, Blindedbysound

“You want to give Sugar all due credit for his stellar harp work, because he’s one of the instruments’ finest contemporary practitioners
– his thick lyrical tone is as much a trademark as his economical phrasing and the quick kick it provides a tune.”
David McGee, The Bluegrass Special

“This Roomful of Blues alumnus sounds more like a Mississippi expatriate living on
Chicago’s South Side.”
William Ruhlmann,  All Music Guide

“I received your CD yesterday.
I’m listening to it for the third time as I’m writing this. One thing comes to mind to describe what I think about it… what’s not to like! Different atmospheres, emotions, drive, feel, guts, beautiful sound! And as usual, class and elegance in your vocal and harp playing!!!

.... these words come
straight from the heart.”
Fan Letter

 





What Critics are Saying About
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
Featuring Monster Mike Welch
“This much-anticipated first recording with Welch is exactly what one would expect from such a stellar lineup – and more . . . this CD easily sets new benchmarks right across the entire blues spectrum. This is straight blues with timeless atmosphere and playing that transcends excellence and authenticity; the record of the year
in this Year of the Blues.”

Al Kirkcaldy for the
Peterborough Examiner


“ . . . there are very few that can match Norcia's potent, booming voice and gripping harmonica work, a style that cuts through the smoke without any fanfare or overdone solo spots. This brand new, self-titled Sugar Ray & The Bluetones CD is a set of blistering and greasy blues from beginning to end, and words just won't do it justice. New England's Sugar Ray & The Bluetones are at it again, and sounding as great as ever... end of story.”
Craig Ruskey for Big Road Blues


“ . . . it remains clear that Norcia is one of the most powerful expressive blues vocalists and harp players out there today, and, with the addition of Welch, he's now got an even stronger band, if that's possible, than he had in his previous album settings.”


“We are digging the new CD here in New Jersey. Back to basics Blues that sends you reelin' and spinin' across the nearest dance floor.
Great stuff from a class act.
This music makes you happy to have the blues.”
John Muller, President,
United Jersey Blues Network of New Jersey

 

 




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Sugar Ray Norcia ....... DISCOGRAPHY


1979 SUGAR RAY AND THE BLUETONES
"Oh Baby" and "Bite The Dust"
(EP) Baron Records


1980 LITTLE BOY BLUE
Walter Horton live with Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
JSP Records


1982 RONNIE EARL AND THE BROADCASTERS
FEATURING THE SENSATIONAL SUGAR RAY
(EP) Leopard Records

 


1984 SMOKING
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters
featuring Sugar Ray and Kim Wilson
Blacktop Records

 



1985 THEY CALL ME MISTER EARL
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters
(includes four Sugar Ray originals)
Blacktop Records


1986 I LIKE IT WHEN IT RAINS
Ronnie Earl
(Sugar Ray vocals on "Midnight Clothes")
Antone's Records

1988 DEEP BLUES
Ronnie Earl and the Bluetones
Blacktop Records

1989 SOUL DEEP
Miki Honycutt
(with Sugar Ray and the Bluetones Band)
Rounder Records


1989 KNOCKOUT
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
(Includes four Sugar Ray originals)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz VARR037

1991 JIMMY ROGERS WITH RONNIE EARL
AND THE BROADCASTERS (Live In Germany)
(Sugar Ray on harmonica)
Crosscut Records

1991 SURROUNDED BY LOVE
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters featuring
Robert Jr. Lockwood and Sugar Ray
Blacktop Records


1991 DON'T STAND IN MY WAY
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
(Includes five Sugar Ray originals)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz BEYE9507

1992 TEST OF TIME
Ronnie Earl
Blacktop Records

1992 ANN PEEBLES
(Sugar Ray on Harmonica)
Rounder Records

1994 NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
Otis Grand
(includes Sugar Ray original "Careless Living")
Sequel Records

1994 DEEP INTO IT
David Maxwell
(Sugar Ray vocals on "Ain't Nobody's Business")
Ocean Mist Records



1994 EVIL GAL BLUES
Michelle Willson
(Sugar Ray and Michelle duet on "You Got What It Takes")
Rounder Records


1994 TAKE IT FROM ME
Little Anthony and Sugar Ray
(Includes four Sugar Ray originals)
Tone-Cool Records

 



1994 DANCE ALL NIGHT
Roomful of Blues
(includes two Sugar Ray originals)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz BEYE9555

1996 SO EMOTIONAL
Michelle Wilson
(Sugar Ray and Michelle duet on "Real Lovin' Mama")
Rounder Records


1996 RHYTHM AND BONES
Porkey Cohen
(Sugar Ray vocals on "Sent For You Yesterday")
Rounder Records


1996 TURN IT ON, TURN IT UP
Roomful of Blues
(includes three Sugar Ray originals.
Nominated for a Grammy Award in Best
Traditional Blues Category)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz BEYE9566

1997 UNDER ONE ROOF
Roomful of Blues (includes three Sugar Ray originals)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz BEYE9569

1997 FUTURE BLUES
Ramblin' Dan Stevens
Millenium Records


1997 ROOMFUL OF CHRISTMAS
Roomful of Blues
Bullseye Blues And Jazz BEYE9591

1997 FARMER JOHN
Roomful of Blues
(Live single from Bimbo's in San Francisco)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz



1998 GRAND UNION
Otis Grand featuring Anson Funderburg and Debbie Davis
(includes Sugar Ray original "There Was A Time")
Blueside Records

1998 SWEET AND SWINGING
Sugar Ray
(includes songs by Percy Mayfield, Ray Charles
and Hank Williams)
Bullseye Blues and Jazz BEYE9607

1999 LATE NIGHT WALK
Michael Williams
(featuring David "Fathead" Newman,
Sugar Ray Norcia and Bruce Katz)
Independant

1999 SUPERHARPS
James Cotton, Charlie Musslewhite, Sugar Ray Norcia
and Billy Branch (three Sugar Ray originals)
Grammy nomination in Best Traditional Blues Category
Telarc Records 83472CD

2000 YOU KNOCK ME OUT
Sax Gordon
(Sugar Ray vocals on "You Knock Me Out"
with Sax Gordon and Duke Robillard)
Rounder Records

2000 BACK ON TOP
Pinetop Perkins
(Sugar Ray harp on five songs)
Telarc

2001 RAMBLIN DAN STEVENS
Millenium Records


2001 BLOW MR LOW
Doug James
(Sugar Ray vocals on "Dirty People" and
"I Want A Little Girl")
Stony Plain Records 1276


2001 ROCKIN' SUGAR DADDY
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
(includes six Sugar Ray originals with Kid Bangham on guitar)
Severn Records 0012


2003 SUGAR RAY AND THE BLUETONES
FEATURING MONSTER MIKE WELCH
Severn Records 0019

2003 BLUES IN MY HEART
Chris Flory with Duke Robillard and Friends
(Sugar Ray vocals on two songs)



2005 HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
(Paul Size on guitar)
Severn Records 0033

2005 THE LEGEND
Jimmy "T99" Nelson
(Sugar Ray plays harmonica on three songs)
Nettie Marie Records

2005 HOUSE OF BLUE RAGS
The Rico Blues Combo
(Sugar Ray on three songs with Italian blues band
from Gubbio, Italy)
Pagina BD1571

 

2007   BOCCE BOGGIE
Live 1978 recording of Big Walter Horton with Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Johnny Nicholas, Ronnie "Youngblood" Earl and Ted Harvey.
Topcat Records   7082

2007    DAYLIGHT JUMPER
           Matt McCabe
(Sugar Ray sings three songs)
Spodehouse Records
 
2007   DUKE ROBILLARD'S WORLD FULL OF BLUES
         (Sugar Ray plays harp on three songs)
         Stony Plain Records   SPCD 1323
 
2007   THAT'S WHAT I FOUND OUT
           Maurizo Pugno
          (Sugar Ray co-writes, sings and plays harp on 14 out of 17 songs with Italian guitar player from Gubbio, Italy!)

2007 MY LIFE, MY FRIENDS, MY MUSIC
The Sugar Ray & The Bluetones Big Band
Severn Records

2009 BETWEEN A ROCK AND THE BLUES
Joe Louis Walker
(Sugar Ray and Joe Louis Walker acoustic duet on “Send You Back”)
2010 Blues Music Award for Album of the Year
Stony Plain Records


2009 KILL THE COFFEE
Maurizio Pugno
(Sugar Ray co-writes, sings and plays on seven songs)
Pacific Blues #20901


2010 GOODBYE LIZA JANE, HELLO WESTERN SWING
Lone Pine Western Swing Band
Special guest... Herb Remington on Steel Guitar
(Sugar Ray sings 13 Bob Wills songs !)

2010 SERENDIPITY
Anthony Geraci
(Sugar Ray sings “I Can’t Go Back”)
Hugadog Records) #001



2011 EVENING
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
Severn Records # 0052