CD review by Roger-Z (08/05/06) In the year 2006, how do you make a great blues album and breathe life into a fairly restricted art form? Michael Bram and the Alternators let the beat do the talking. After all, their leader majored in jazz drums at Purchase University. The group, consisting of Michael Bram (harmonica, vocals), Chris Vitarello (guitar, vocals), Brendan O'Grady (bass, piano, vocals), and Ron Nihoff (drums), chose to record this album live in the studio. Echoes of the great Willie Dixon produced Chess Records session (Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf). They walk the tightrope without a net. CD review by Jerry Hall - Pacific Blues Review by WVKR-fm, Poughkeepsie 
CD review by Roger-Z Biography
Michael Bram and the Alternators are one of the premier blues groups in the NY tri state area.
Led by Michael Bram 29, on harmonica and vocals, their performaces feature their own brand of original blues (mostly uptempo with a biting wit) as well as classics by Muddy, Wolf, Little Walter and Ray Charles to name a few.
Michael's emotionally charged delivery bears little evidence to the fact that he is also an "in demand" drummer on the NY scene. Having performed on drums with top Northeast blues acts, The Dave Gross Band, Dennis Gruenling and JumpTime, Moose Boles and BulletProof Blues, Bill Perry, Debbie Davies, and The Bruce Katz Band (to name a few). Michael knows what it takes to be a great sideman. However, when he sings and plays harp in front of the Alternators, it's as if he were meant for nothing else. Still, he remains active as a freelance sideman as well as fronting the Alternators!
Michael's experience working for other great musicians comes full circle as he employs only the Best! The Alternators are made up of some very special musicians whose resumes read as a virtual 'who's who' in the music biz! In addition to Michael Bram, the Alternators official line-up is Chris Vitarello on guitar (has performed with: The Bruce Katz Band, Arlen Roth, Jimmy McGriff, Debbie Davies, Bill Perry), Brendan O'grady on bass (has performed with Lew Soloff, John Abercrombie and the Bloodsugars) and Brett Rothenhaus (Pat O'Shea and the El Dorado Kings) on Drums. Vitarello contributes an occasional lead vocal and with O'Grady sings some backup as well.
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