The song "Cool Breeze" from "Roll Of The Dice" is featured on Big City Blues Magazine's first sampler CD included with the June/July issue, alongside tracks by Eric Burdon, Steven Seagal, & other blues artists. Look for Big City Blues Magazine at your local bookstore or order it online at www.bigcitybluesmag.com

CD review of "Roll Of The Dice" by Tim Aves
June/July issue of Blues Matters! Magazine  UK June 2006
www.bluesmatters.com

An attractively-drawn caricature on the front cover introduces us to the delights of raven-haired frontwoman Theresa Lindstrom and the Florida based band TC Blue - and yields up a nicely produced CD of classy contemporary blues.

TC Blue are an established band of musicians who work hard to make the most of the songs Lindstrom and guitarist Rit Johnson have given them. Their music is modern, commercial blues, with slight rock edge - Johnson's slick, overdriven slide guitar contributes a welcome edge, while Fred "Beetle" Bailey's Hammond organ adds a pleasing fullness.

The track 'Thursday Night' is a raunchy pean to a girls' night out, while 'Hard Hearted Woman' is Theresa's take on the old male "love 'em and leave 'em" cliche, featuring some great slide guitar that calls to mind Joe Walsh at his best. From here on in, the tracks keep getting stronger. 'In The Long Run' is a soul-tinged ballad, 'Let Me In' is a great stomping party song and the title track, 'Roll Of The Dice' adds a New Orleans flavor to the proceedings, showcasing Lindstrom's sultry vocals and some very tasteful piano from Bailey. The closer 'Beware of Mister Live D' is an uptempo acoustic tune which brings Lindstrom's acoustic guitar and voice centre-stage, supported again by some tasty slide by Johnson.

Great fun - and well worth a listen. - Tim Aves

April 2006
"Roll Of The Dice" CD Review by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro Blues Editor
www.Mary4Music.com

The blues scene in South Florida will rival that of any city in the country, including some of the so called blues meccas. While many clubs in Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans are closing down or abandoning the blues, the scene is exploding in South Florida. The area has about twenty clubs that now play blues on a quite regular basis and there are at least thirty blues bands that are working on a regular basis. One of those bands is THERESA AND TC BLUE.

The band consists of: THERESA LINDSTROM on lead and background vocals and acoustic guitar; RIT JOHNSON on lead, rhythm, slide, acoustic and dobro guitars and background vocals; MARK LILLIS on bass guitar and background vocals; FRED "BEETLE" BAILEY on keyboards; and DAN HESS on drums.

Their new CD is titled "ROLL OF THE DICE" and it consists of fourteen tracks of which all are THERESA and RIT originals.

Special guests on this project are: RICHARD MALFITANO, saxophone and flute; JOHN HARRIS, harmonica; PETER SOLLEY, keyboards; BILL MEREDITH, percussion; DIANA D'AMBROSIO, NANCY HARTLINE and MICHAEL-ANN STEWART, harmony vocals.

The first of the many personal favorites of mine on "ROLL OF THE DICE" was "YOU'RE NOT FOOLIN' ME". This one's very hot and may very well be the best track on the disc. My whole body was shaking as it tried to keep time with the great drum work by DAN. Being one of several tracks that feature great sax by RICHARD also highlighted this one. THERESA'S very country sounding vocals are absolutely marvelous and the harmonic and rhythmic hand clapping was superb. A few more like this and this disc will be a big hit.

"CAN YOU TELL", is a steamy, slow blues burner which is ALWAYS a good thing. This is the kind of song that saxophones were made for and RICHARD surely backs up that statement. Along with some real nice, piercing blues guitar riffs by RIT and a very soulful and sultry vocal performance by THERESA, this one's another of the discs highlights.

"DAMN THAT FULL MOON" is an all too short, outstanding, country blues ballad. The vocal harmony between THERESA, DIANA and NANCY is outstanding, JOHN's harmonica is perfect and RITS guitars are dynamite. This three and a half minute track should have been ten minutes long - I could have easily taken more of his one.

"LET ME IN" is a straight up jam with everyone right in the pocket, even the crying baby, the barking dog, the screaming neighbors and the screeching police cars. This is a hot, fun song with THERESA, as she does on just about every track, belting out some great vocals.

"ROLL OF THE DICE", the title track, is a country blues number with a bit of a gospel feel. As usual THERESA is on top of her game while being nicely backed up by her harmonic harem. PETE'S organ provides a very nice spiritual effect on this one.

Because of locale, I had seen TC BLUE several times before, but always as an acoustic act. Due to that fact, I must admit that "ROLL OF THE DICE" most certainly took me by surprise - and a very nice surprise at that. This electric ensemble, guests included, is quite a talented bunch.

Roll Of The Dice CD Review by Steve Landy of www.FatBluesCat.com

The next time someone tells you that all "blues music sounds the same" grab them by the scruff of the neck, sit them down and have them listen to this latest release from Theresa and TC Blue.

Here the full gambit of "roots" music is run and resurrected. Most tracks don't follow the traditional 12 bar format giving Theresa and the boys lots of room to roam. The result? A very strong outing from five people who seem to be having a great time doing what they do.

First up "So Special" demonstrates the strength of this band that's prevalent throughout the whole album - a tight funky rhythm section with a backbeat that could get a corpse moving. This is bassman Mark Lillis's tune all the way, rumbling and rolling bottom end that wont quit. Add to the mix some growling harp, funky rhythm guitar and impressive vocals and you have a very strong opener, in fact one of the best songs on the album.

The first thing I noticed on this recording is the quality of the mix. The production on this CD is very good and credit should be given to all at Red Room Studio, Pompano Beach, FL for an outstanding job.

"You're Not Foolin' Me" swings and keeps the good time vibe and then jumps into the more laid back funky "Cool Breeze" which features some nice dueling from guest saxophonist Richard Malfitano and guitarist Rit Johnson.

Theresa takes over and shines on the "end of the evening bar room" blues "Can You Tell" and the upbeat "Wrong Man Blues." Rit Johnson also works some frenzied slide here moving in and around the vocals.

In fact, Johnson is all over this album often changing the whole tone of a song by using a solo style that is almost out of character with the song, but it works. Check out the country feel of "Thursday Night" to see what I mean. Who would put distortion on the opening of that solo!

The middle section of the album has songs that would be well suited for release as a single: the catchy hook of "What's On Your Mind," in particular. It struck me that this would be a perfect album to bring youngsters into the blues fold; it's fast track and edgy, but also has a very playful feel to it. The Blues In The Schools program came to mind.

"Damn That Full Moon" sounds as if it was written to be played live and was also a favorite. The album returned to a more standard blues sound for "Hard Hearted Woman" then backed away with the lament of "In The Long Run;" fluidity still running strong.

The next song propels the album to a whole different level. Every band has it's showcase and maybe TC Blue has found it's own in "Blues Finds A Way". Buy this record even if it is for this one song. Sexy sexy vocals has Theresa sounding more like Natalie Merchant than Natalie Merchant, the groove is right there! This is the sweet spot, all cylinders firing in perfect unison. Drummer Dan Hess, Mark Lillis and "Beetle" Bailey on keys nail it down for a tight horn section to provide the funk. The rules change again on "Blues Finds A way" with a stunning flute solo from Malfitano. Flute-Blues. You just got to hear it..... The only fault I have with the CD comes from this point forward. The last three tracks, although strong don't stand up to the power of "Blues Finds A way" which maybe should have last on the album. The good hearted jumping blues of "Let Me In" suffers most. "Roll Of The Dice" should have you reaching for your lighter though, as it's another good "end of the evening" type anthem.