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>> NEW STYLE AND VINTAGE GUITAR ADD TO LATEST ALBUM PRINCIPATO FINDS NEW BLUES MUSES

November 20, 2008 12:36 am

BY 'DOC' HENLEY SMYTHE

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

On the heels of the recent presidential election, voters are hoping that change will be good for the nation's capital.

However, Washington-based guitarist Tom Principato has already proved to his blues constituents throughout the area that change can be for the better.

For more than 40 years and 11 solo albums, Principato and his Fender Telecaster have ably led the blues lobby in D.C. But with the vigor of a newly inaugurated president, Principato has upped the stakes recently.

He brings a fresh, funky feel to the blues that's sure to have patrons out of their seats and onto their feet Saturday night at Colonial Tavern.

In a phone interview from his home in Falls Church, Princi-pato spoke about the new sound.

"It's sort of a mutation of those styles that I've always liked to do. I've just stumbled on it the last few years," he said.

"I've always done the chicken-pickin' Telecaster thing, but I'd never really thought to combine it with the New-Orleans-style, syncopated, funky rhythms that we're playing. The two fit together perfectly."

Principato is quick to acknowledge his band's contributions, too. "It's been a good long stint with this core rhythm section," he noted.

Bassist John Perry has been playing with Principato for more than 12 years. ("Wow! I've never played that long with anyone," Principato laughed.)

Drummer Joe Welsh joined about 6 years ago, followed by conga player Josh Howell, who became a full-time member a few years back after recording with the band.

This band's new sound can be heard on their latest album, "Raising the Roof." Bristling with great grooves, Principato's signature guitar work is at the forefront--and better than ever.

He attributes this to a vintage edition of his instrument of choice. "You can get a lot of really colorful overtones and squawks and noises out of a Telecaster. It's got that bright, twangy, really expressive sound," he said.

"I stumbled onto a special one about five years ago. It's from 1960, and I'm fortunate to own it, because it's one of those one-in-a-thousand guitars that just sounds fantastic. That's the one you hear on the albums."

Principato said there is a special link between the D.C. blues scene and the Telecaster. "I always joke about it's the same water that [guitar greats] Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatlin used to drink from," he said.

"It's a tradition based in country music, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly--and it's sort of been a local thing here."

However, Principato's own popularity isn't limited to the region--he tours overseas two or three times a year. "My career has advanced a lot further in Europe than it has here," he said.

His last visit to Europe, in fact, inspired one of the most memorable tracks on "Raising the Roof," titled "They Called for 'Stormy Monday' (But 'Mustang Sally' Is Just as Bad)."

The song is an inside joke for blues fans, referencing an oft-covered standard that contains the lyrics "They call it 'Stormy Monday'/ Lord, but Tuesday's just as bad."

The idea came while listening to an opening act one night in France, Principato said.

"There are a lot of good bands and musicians in Europe, but we sometimes find these hackneyed bands that just play the standards," he said.

"They were reeling off one cliche after another. Finally, they went into 'Stormy Monday.' I started laughing and said out loud, 'They call it "Stormy Monday," but "Mustang Sally" is just as bad.' Everyone in the dressing room just spontaneously fell off their chairs."

Principato plans to continue his vibrant approach to blues with his next album, on which he will revisit some of his own favorites from throughout his musical career.

"I was contemplating releasing a career retrospective compilation and then it just dawned on me," he said.

"Instead of just re-mastering the same old stuff, if I really like a song, why don't I redo it and put it out with a fresh take on it--take a few of my best songs and some new stuff, bring in some cameo musicians, guys that I've always admired and re-record them?"

Don't rush to your local CD spot too soon, though, Principato said. "It's gonna take a while; maybe it'll be out in early 2010." Just in time for the next round of presidential canvassing.

'Doc' Henley Smythe is a local DJ and musician. Reach him at rockwithdoc.com.