Scott Ramminger

Do What Your Heart Says To
Arbor Lane Music

Saxophonist Scott Ramminger may live and work in the Washington, DC area, but his musical soul lies directly in New Orleans. His songs are filled with the jumpy, second line and jazzy feel associated with that Southern city. And with his latest release, he fills his music with the authenticity of some of New Orleans’ most renowned players to give it that added lagniappe.

Fourteen tracks, all originals written by Ramminger, make up his latest release, Do What Your Heart Says To. The core band, aside from Ramminger on tenor and baritone saxophones and vocals, include guitarist Shane Theriot, George Porter Jr on bass with Roland Guerin taking the role on two tracks, Johnny Vidacovich and Doug Belote splitting time on drums, David Torkanowsky on keys, Roddie Romero on accordion, and horn players Rick Trolsen, Greg Hicks and Eric Lucero. The recordings for the disc were handled in Louisiana, Virginia and Tennessee.

Ramminger’s voice is featured on all selections, but on most he is accompanied by a cast of stellar singers bringing forth an even greater dimension to his music. It’s hard to argue when you throw in people like Janiva Magness, Bekka Bramlett, Francine Reed, The McCrary Sisters and The Radiator’s Tommy Malone to help vocalize your material.

It has been four years since Ramminger last put out an album, 2013’s critically acclaimed Advice From A Father From A Son, but that lapsed time has been well worth the wait. Whatever your mood, you should find something to enjoy with Do What Your Heart Says To. There’s a bit of funky on “Give A Pencil To A Fish,” slow blues with Shane Theriot laying down some biting string-work along with Torkanowsky’s deep organ on “Winter Is Always Worse,”a Mardi Gras parade with “Mystery To Me” or the relaxed soulful piece “My Girl For Life. This album is straight ahead enjoyable start to finish. Ramminger has once again delivered a very welcome, feel good disc of top-rate songwriting and performing.

Total Time: 61:31

Living Too Fast / Someone New To Disappoint / Do What Your Heart Says To / Hoping That The Sun Won’t Shine / Give A Pencil To A Fish / Winter Is Always Worse / Get Back Up / It’s Hard To Be Me / Mystery To Me / Off My Mind / I Need A New One / Walk A Little Straighter / My Girl For Life / Stubborn Man