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[CodeBlue]

After 16 years of numerous live performances, Code Blue has released its first CD, titled “Observations.” From left are Kenny Kirk, John Connor, Kenn Vest and Justin Purser. All are from North Vernon except Vest, who lives in Versailles.

A new musical CD, a new festival
Local rock band Code Blue’s 1st album released just in time for River of Blues event
Since 1991, Code Blue has been rockin' and rollin' in Jennings County and throughout the region.

Now finally - finally! - this venerable local rock band has produced a CD. It is titled "Observations."

"Hey, it only took us 16 years!" quipped Justin Purser of North Vernon, the group's lead guitarist and co-vocalist.

The band includes Kenn Vest on drums and vocals, Kenny Kirk on keyboards and John Connor on bass. Vest is from Versailles, the others from North Vernon.

Vest and Purser met when they were co-workers at the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center and formed "Code Blue."

These guys have paid their dues through countless live performances in North Vernon and throughout southern Indiana and Kentucky.

"We've lost track how many times we have played at Railroad Days," Purser laughed. "We will be there again this June."

Nothing is better than good live music. A close runner-up is having that music recorded for enjoying whenever the urge strikes you to listen.

Code Blue's new CD is well worth the wait for those long-suffering fans who have wanted to take the music home with them. "Observations" contains nine original cuts that impressively showcase the group's musical and song writing talents.

Unlike Code Blue's live performances, which sometimes rely heavily on cover tunes as a matter of survival for the four-member band, the CD conclusively demonstrates that these guys can make music that is extraordinarily unique.

The CD's release has been timed perfectly, too. It coincides with the River of Blues Music Festival that will be held Saturday, May 12, at the Muscatatuck Park.

Code Blue will be one of nine area groups and musical artists performing in the festival that starts at 2 p.m. and is scheduled to continue into the night. Others on the bill are Assorted Flavors and Franny Hall of North Vernon, The Early Evening and Don Pedigo of Nashville, Tenn.; the Romance of Bloomington, 650north of Osgood, Rusty Bladen of Madison and The Elms of Seymour. Dave and George Daeger of The Early Evening are North Vernon natives while Pedigo is originally from Freetown.

Promoter Hugh Partridge calls the lineup "local music with national appeal."

The River of Blues event actually began in 2005 as a concert at Jennings County High School. That show featured the Jennings County Community Choir and Code Blue performing separately and in collaboration, including an awesome version of the Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Partridge says River of Blues is a metaphor for the unbroken stream of music originating from the early blues of the Mississippi River Delta.

"Blues influenced every genre of American popular music," Partridge says.

The blues influence is definitely evident on Code Blue's "Observations," particularly on the second cut aptly named "Bulldog Blues." I heard traces of the Doors on that song and some of the other tunes, too.

It almost sounds like Neil Young singing, not Purser, on "If I Could," a song that also sounds like Young himself could have written it.

From the Beatles to Bachman Turner Overdrive to Genesis, many other influences can be discerned as well.

Make no mistake about this CD, however, this is Code Blue's music. The emphasis is on pop rock with catchy hooks and toe-tapping melodies that are enough to make the listener want to dance.

The musicianship is superb. Purser's guitar work is stellar, Vest is a wonderful percussionist and Connor is a bassist in the mold of the late-great John Entwhistle.

I have enjoyed Kirk's keyboard style for years, long before Code Blue was ever created. I remember listening to Kirk when he was in the local rock band Eros & Capricorn. As good as he was then, he's gotten better, just like fine wine, with age - whether he is using the Leslie organ effect or producing a classic electric piano sound.

In medical jargon, "code blue" means a medical emergency in which a team of medical personnel work to revive an individual in cardiac arrest.

With this CD, Code Blue has gone far in reviving the local rock music scene and making it more vibrant than ever.

As Neil Young sang, "Rock 'n' roll will never die." Groups like Code Blue - bless their hearts - are doing their best to make sure of that.

Album information: Observations is available at 13th Floor Music, 111 N. Chestnut St., Seymour, and also at Code Blue's concerts, including Saturday's River of Blues Festival.

More information is available online at www.codebluezone.com.

Festival information: Tickets for the River of Blues Festival are $25 apiece and are on sale at the Log Cabin Inn, 59 E. Highway 3&7, Vernon, as well as 13th Floor Music, 111 N. Chestnut St., Seymour; Music World, 920 E. Tipton St., Seymour; and Tom Pickett's Music Center, 2242 National Road, Columbus.

Tickets can also be purchased via the festival's Web site at www.riverofblues.com.
www.codebluezone.com