Slam Allen

To look at Slam when he's performing, you might get the impression he'd just won the lottery. His friendly stage manner belies the hard road that this relatively new artist travels. His fluid guitar maneuverings and soulful singing style are fresh reminders of just what's right with the blues today. Blues music is about all human emotions, not just sadness, and Slam Allen is happiest when on stage. He's been winning over audiences in rooms large and small throughout the region for nearly four years, booking his by now well oiled act into rooms such as Terra Blues in Manhattan, The Old Bay in New Brunswick, NJ, Snug Harbor in New Paltz and Krough's in Sparta, NJ.

His recent signing to Rave On Records is but one indicator of the great things in store for Slam, according to manager and former band drummer Mike Moss. It was in 1993 that the pair first met up at a blues jam at the Downtown Tavern in Middletown, NY. "From the first note I ever heard him play, I was sold. I knew that he was something special. I went up to him afterward and said: 'Slam, we're gonna start a band tomorrow', and he just looked at me and said: 'Cool'. And after all this time, I never get tired of listening to him, I never get bored. That's how great I think he is".

Slam's guitar workouts recall the work of numerous legends. The raw sting of Freddie King, the urban smooth of George Benson and the elegant simplicity of B.B. King can all be heard interwoven with what is clearly his own emerging style.

Moss says, "The gift that Slam has is that he can do everything. He has the four essential components needed to be successful. He writes good songs, he plays great guitar, he sings and he entertains. He relates well to audiences in both large halls and small rooms. It doesn't matter. He loves getting the band and crowd off with him."

Confidently blending funk, blues and soul, Slam, who celebrates his 31st birthday on Saturday, September 6th, has created a sub-genre of his own. He can move easily from a soul style ballad to an upbeat shuffle to an all out shouter, putting his own unmistakable stamp on it all. It makes some sense to learn that Slam got an early start in the music biz by joining his dad, Harrison and uncles Cecil and Buddy Allen in the Allen Brothers Band. As both a guitarist and drummer with that group, Slam grew up playing the soul, blues, R&B and funk of the '60s and '70s, a veritable private school atmosphere for the developing player.

Now with his first CD on the well-respected independent Rave On imprint going into release on October 15th, Slam can reflect on his recent past with satisfaction. He's worked hard to reach this career milestone. If the CD does well for him, it's possible that he might follow the same path upward as monster guitar slinger and fellow Orange County resident Bill Perry, who after the release of his first CD on Rave On, was picked up by Virgin/Point Blank Records. If not, Slam's a patient man who understands that every event's timing is crucial.

As the story goes, he wasn't in a hurry to sign anything. Moss explains that they had some early contact with Rave On, but felt the timing wasn't right. JSP Records in England had also expressed interest, but Bill Perry convinced Frank Migliorelli from Rave On to check Slam out first at Chicago Blues-where Migliorelli is reported to have said: "I want to sign this guy!" That statement came as no surprise to Moss, who feels that given the right producer and opportunity, Slam has the potential to make a music that many people could enjoy, across the board. "Do I think he can be a superstar? That's only for the public to decide, but as far as I'm concerned, this guy's the real deal, man." Moss recounts the time Slam opened up for James Brown at the Concord Hotel a few years ago. "James' band really dug it, and told Slam so. I'm so glad that happened because the experience gave him a credential as a performing artist that he just didn't feel he had before."

The blues is not an easy life. It offers little promise-but for a lucky and talented few-in the way of security. For Slam Allen, the decision has been made, and it's merely a matter of timing ... and time.

"That experience at the Concord a few years back was just the encouragement he needed to make the commitment to a life of music," Moss says. And he's willing to wait it out. He's a patient guy, you know."

By George A. Fletcher
Rhythm and News Magazine