The C.D. Woodbury Band - Sunbanks Live!

Blues Notes - Cascade Blues Association - Greg Johnson

Self-produced

The Seattle-based C.D. Woodbury Band made their debut appearance at the Sunbanks Blues Festival last fall and delivered a stellar, crowd-pleasing performance nicely documented on this new release. Woodbury is a terrific guitarist and handles vocals nicely while he whoops up the crowd with his set of mostly covers and a few choice original numbers.

That guitar prowess is displayed right away during the opening track with “Further On Up The Road,” where the whole band actually gives samples of their skills with solos during their introductions. Woodbury again soars on the strings for the Freddie Kind classic “Pack It Up” and a fine take of Robben Ford’s “Prison of Love.” He also offers a very well-done take on Willie Dixon’s “Built for Comfort,” using a softer delivery that brings the tune across naturally, as too often is the case with this song the singer tend to make it a shouter and it really doesn’t have to be that way. Woodbury throws a little humorous banter with the crowd during the song about attempts at losing weight. Oh wouldn’t it be great to mix that Slim Fast with Kahlua and ice cream as your daily meals. Makes sense to me. The Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” also brings tremendously sizzling guitar licks that had to get the audience on their feet. But to me, the highlight of the set is “Can I Change My Mind.” Okay, I am a sucker for this Tyrone Davis masterpiece and it is probably one of my all time favorite soul numbers. But if it is presented in the manner it was done originally and handled correctly by the right person it will always soundsfantastic. C.D. Woodbury does just that.

C.D. Woodbury made a statement with this set at Sunbanks for those in the Northwest who may not have been aware of him before. He was letting everybody know, “Hey, here I am! Watch out, because I’m here to stay!” For those in attendance, I am certain they were convinced. Sunbanks Live! is a nice souvenir for those who were there. For the rest, well listen closely, because C.D. Woodbury is definitely here to stay!!

Tuesday Night Blues Bash

Bluesletter - Washington Blues Society - Robert Horn

...Up next was a band that is a BB nominated band, and the CD Woodbury Band showed why they are in that league.

Bandleader Woodbury, a singer/guitar player is familiar to those who used to see Polly O'Keary and The Rhythm Method a few years back (Polly is now part of a national act playing bass for Too Slim and the Taildraggers). CD Woodbury also was seen playing for Mark DuFresne a lot after Mark left Roomful of Blues. The CD Woodbury Band is a nominee in the Best New Band category. They filled the dance floor seconds into their performance and when I left to get ready for work the next day, they were still dancing. Singing and on what must be a guitar with magical powers is of course, CD Woodbury. On bass is Mike Fish. On drums is Don Montana, and on keys is Chris Kliemann. One of the songs they did was "Two Wheels" and was written by Don Montana. I had an image in mind of Blues festivals like Winthrop where there are a couple of hundred Harleys in attendance. The bikes and the blues hang out together. There are some songs where CD's guitar would cry, or would make you feel like you were taking off in a rocket, soaring past this galaxy. The power and the passion of a great Blues guitar is something everyone should get a chance to appreciate. He did a song from Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers, "Give Me Back My Wig," and if you liked how Luther Allison used to do that one, you will love how CD Woodbury does it. The slide guitar work on this one was astounding. 

Each song took the audience higher, and when they did Flip, Flop, and Fly" some swing dancers put on a show worthy of a Jack and Jill contest (something swing dancers sometimes do). Then they did one of Ronnie Earl's songs and I was more than sold. Send this band (and a few other local ones) to visit Bruce Iglauer at Alligator Records in Chicago so that the world will hear what we see in Seattle.  

Read more:

"...Powerful" -Experience Hendrix Magazine 

"...When I formed a band
of my own, he was the first guy I called. I still work with him sometimes. I love C.D.” - Polly O'Keary, currently touring with Too Slim and the Taildraggers

"C.D. has a unique combination of education..., skill, raw musical talent and passion." -  Steve Ater, Tone Kings

“When I got back to Seattle from my Roomful (of Blues) stint I needed a guitarist. On the good word of Randy Oxford I exchanged e-mails with C.D. We played our first gig together, no rehearsal.
...He is absolutely a consummate professional. That’s A Fact, Jack.” Mark DuFresne

"he is a musician’s guitarist." Roy Brown, from the March 2009 WBS Bluesletter

2010 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues Awards:

Electric Guitar - CD Woodbury

New Blues Band - The CD Woodbury Band

2011 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues Awards:

Electric Guitar - CD Woodbury