Contino – Back Porch Dogma

Contino is an eclectic roots music band from Las Vegas, Nevada.  The talent and synergy of the five highly accomplished musicians create an awesome sound and show experience. With their unique mixture of influences and instrumentation they have crafted a lively and distinctive mixture of blues, Americana, rockabilly, and zydeco. 
The quintet's unique mixture of roots music style has earned rave reviews and an ever-growing fan base in both North America and Europe.   With the release of their new Blind Pig CD, Back Porch Dogma, the acclaim and fan base are sure to grow. 
Contino was formed in 2009 with a mission of writing songs that are "outside the box, yet authentic."  All the band members were involving in writing the nine original compositions on aBack Porch Dogma.  Recorded at world famous Studio D in Sausalito, CA, with Joel Jaffe producing, it features a guest appearance on a Contino-penned track by noted vocalist Maria Muldaur.   The four covers include tunes from Tom Waits and the legendary songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller.
In 2009 Contino did an extensive tour through Germany opening for Grammy nominated Cajun/Creole artist, Cedric Watson.  Contino has also opened for Buckwheat Zydeco and Dr. John, and recently completed a tour in Europe with Robben Ford.  Their music was also used in the movie The Fall.
To see Contino is often like watching a train rolling at high speed down a mountain. It's frenetic, exhilarating, and you might often wonder if it's about to run off the tracks - but it never does. The band's interaction with each other is almost instinctive; trading solos between each of the members, the band looks and sounds fluid, as if every song has taken on its own meaning. The only giveaway is when you catch them laughing and grinning. These guys have almost as much fun playing as the audience does watching and listening. This thing really does move and shake along the tracks - like a smooth locomotive. 

 

Track Listing:
1. Rotgut Run - 4:23   2. Big Tent - 5:05   3. V-8 Ford - 3:45   4. Temptation - 4:39   5. Zydeco Train - 4:30   6. Dog Days - 4:50   7. One Thing - 3:29   8. Three Cool Cats - 3:25   9. Tain’t - 4:05   10. Nothin’ You Can Do - 4:32   11. I Don’t Want To Know - 4:46   12. Monkey - 4:25   13. Dino’s - 3:09 

 

Personnel:
Pete Contino (vocals, accordion) , Maria Muldaur (duet vocals) , Al Ek (vocals, guitars, mandolin, harmonica) , Rob Edwards (upright bass) , Billy Truitt (keyboards) , Joel Jaffe (percussion) , Jim Lovgren (drums) , Omega Rae (background vocals) , Suzan Z (background vocals)

 

Reviews:

 

1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Full of fresh ideas and fine rootsy music....the album is filled with enthusiastically eclectic music. Contino has made a snappy stew out of some blues and zydeco with some tasty seasonings added...just plain fine down-home music." 

 

2. Vintage Guitar 

"Truth be told, the whole darn band here is just on. The mix of tasty originals and tasteful, judiciously selected covers combine for a toe-tapping blast of a disc."

 

3. Hittin' The Note 

"In the spirit of other badass combos like the Subdudes, the Iguanas, and Los Lobos, the Las Vegas quintet's creed is obviously to concoct as much utterly infectious and wide-ranging roots rockin' magic as possible. " 

 

4. Blurt.com
"Back Porch Dogma is a very surprising and enjoyable slice of blues, Americana, rockabilly and zydeco...a fun set which includes everything from accordian swing to the deep Chicago Muddy Waters styles blues to the smoky lounge sound to upbeat rockers and slow ballads."