Li'l Ronnie & The Blue Beats - Unfinished Business

More than two decades after the band members went their separate ways, they finally re-connected to add six more tracks to the eight songs completed in the early ’90s. With 12 originals joining choice covers by Ray Charles and Louis Prima, the sextet presents an album full of, in Li’l Ronnie’s own words, “swingin’, jumpin’ funky goodness.” Led by harpist/vocalist Ronnie Owens (also chief of the Grand Dukes), the band features the soulful vocals and sax work of Claudia Carawan. With Ronnie’s lusty, train-honking harmonica complementing Carawan’s sultry voice, the Blue Beats handily take care of a bluesy, soulful and swinging business. “Unfinished Business” is definitely one to consider.