THE GLENN THOMAS BAND: How Long

How Long is a new EP by the Glenn Thomas Band, a followup to their CD from late 2015, One Last Stand. This disc is a brief, three-track taste that gives the listener 8½ minutes of the trio’s sound, but puts their best musical feet forward.

Thomas’ band plays old school R&B, with a nod to New Orleans and old ’70s Southern blues-rock stylists like Leon Russell. The group is a basic trio, which adds several female backing vocalists (to excellent effect). The focus is on songwriter Thomas, who also plays guitar and keyboards–which often include both Hammond B3 organ and electric piano. Sam Johnson’s bass and Tony Sanborn on drums are a rock-solid rhythm section, and Thomas is powerful singer whose vocal persona fits this material perfectly.

The title track opens, with Thomas working a wah-wah guitar riff against his electric piano and sharp B3 accents for a brew that just flat-out cooks. It is down-and-dirty rhythm and blues, and his piano flourishes during the break add to the flavor: “Everybody knows what’s good for me/ But if they really understood me, they’d just let me be.” It’s a more traditional approach to “New Orleans,” as speakeasy piano licks that recall “Saint James Infirmary” and other chestnuts take Thomas and his backing singers for a short but sweet trip to Bourbon Street. “Tomorrow Is Today” blends its key riff and a bit of call-and response singing, for a small taste of Gospel. The old school feel on How Long will have R&B fans back for more from the Glenn Thomas Band.