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Burlington Free Press - "COBALT BLUE: A BAND WITH ALL THE FIXIN'S"

Cobalt Blue is a dyed in the wool blues bar band that hails from Lyndonville.  To take a look at the power trio, you might think they are refugees from a logging camp.  Perhaps it would be wise if they wore lots of orange during bear hunting season.  Jokes fellas.  It's the holiday season.  Don't kick my butt.

This burly trio plays a heavy blend of blues -- pure and simple.  Cobalt Blue is one of my favorite surprises when the band plays at Nectar's.

While fully capable of the requisite covers the establishment seems to covet, the band's now-not-so-new album "Three On The Floor" is an attempt to expand its horizons and explore original material.

Not to quote Martha Stewart on her "special day," but it's a good thing.

I'll be the first to tell you, though -- these guys don't form an especially vocal band.  But what they lack in lyrical interest and less than smoky delivery, they make up a thousand times in playing ability.  If you like heavier sounding blues, blues with a touch of fuzz, but with plenty of clear and concise rippin' riffs thrown in, then this is your band.  I highly suggest you check Cobalt Blue out live.

But don't forget the disc.  "Three On The Floor" is accentuated with a few instrumental jams that really show these guys can cook up the blues stew.  I personally liked "Trances," the title track, and the closer, "Creepin'," both at more than nine minutes long, proving the band can extend any song into a fourth dimension while not leaving you there to find your own way back.  "Bald Hill Blues" only asks for Robert Plant to finish it off -- it's that good.

Michael Bottiggi might not be blessed with the greatest vocal chords, but he is easily on my list as one of the best blues guitarists in the area.   As far as straight blues goes, I'd put him up against Jimmy Page.  Period.

Jeff Ramsdell has a unique bass sound, and it is marvelously confident, pounding and strong.

Mark Hunter is certainly more steady than grandma after a few cocktails and is a strong hitter.  He keeps these two on one of those extendible leashes -- giving them all the room to run, but snapping them back to attention when the time calls.

That's what makes this band as good as it is and why I suggest you check it out live.  The trio plays so well together, having such good instincts between each member, that, on a good night, they become sublime.  I've seen it.   There are moments, sometimes hours, when they just slip into that "mode" and musically blow you away.  I think they rock, and the amount of sound they can put out as a trio is awesome.

The recod.  Eh.  There are more things to be thankful for than making a brilliant record.  These guys have done a great job at capturing their sound, but I still think it's live where the band thrives.  Definitely one of my favorites around.                            -Steve Lemcke

 
ExposurE - Norhteast Kingdom rock lives with the release of Cobalt Blue's debut CD "Three on the Floor".  In the tradition of Cream, Grand Funk Railroad and Government Mule this power trio delivers blues-based progressive rock with a hard edge.  "Three on the Floor" is a well rounded collection of songs with straight forward progressive rock numbers like Train and Ready Or Not, heavy blues tunes like Bald Hill Blues, and nasty funk grooves like Spanky's Jam.  Cobalt Blue's songs often take on a southern rock feel like in the wailing slide solo on Change of Heart and in bluesy extended jams like Trances and the instant classic title track Three on the Floor.

The album's classic sound, exemplary song writing, and masterful production only help to showcase the incredible musicianship of Cobalt Blue.  On guitar Michael Bottiggi lays down a steady rhythm and some wicked leads on the rock solid bass lines of Jeff Ramsdell, while Mark Hunter does more than keep the beat with tasty fills, funky grooves and a killer drum solo in Ready Or Not.  What we have here are obviously three outstanding musicians in their own right who've come together in the right combination, with the right chemistry to pull off one kickass rock album!  Check it out!     -Derek Campbell
 
Nightlife Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This
Cobalt Blue bandmembers and veteran performers--Michael Bottiggi, Mark Hunter and Jeff Ramsdell, demonstrate a high level of musicianship with their complex arrangements and dynamic changes. A stylistic fusion of blues and rock, the ten original songs featured on Three on the Floor make for an impressive first release. Bumpin’ and tight, rhythm masters Ramsdell and Hunter torque guitar player Michael Bottiggi through guitar solos that weep and wail. From the ringing melodic cadences carrying instrumentals, Bald Hill Blues and title track Three on the Floor, to the smokey blues vocal line in Trances—the sultry rip-and-sway of Spanky’s Jam, Cobalt Blue nails track after track.

Bottiggi, Hunter and Ramsdell committed to Cobalt Blue four years ago and haven’t looked back a day since. In weekly practice sessions they collaborated to write, arrange and perform their music. Inspired by the fun they were having week after week—in practice sessions and on the road, Cobalt Blue laid down Three on the Floor with co-producer Joe Egan at Eclipse Recording in Hinesburg. The CD was mastered at Eller Studios by Lane Gibson . Katherine and Rose Lucas designed the final product with portrait work by Michael Sipe.