Love, love, love it when I go CD shopping and find something interesting and come up with a new favorite song in the process.  Those of you not familiar with The Yayhoos likely know one of the key players in the band-  guitarist Dan Baird, formerly of the Georgia Satellites (“Keep Your Hands To Yourself” fame), but by golly you gotta dig the rest of the gang too:  guitarist (and former Blackheart for Joan Jett) Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, bassist Keith Christopher, and drummer/guitarist Terry Anderson, the latter of which pens this fine ditty in “I Can Give You Everything” from the band’s 2001 disc Fear Not The Obvious.

Originally covered by R&B queen Etta James, The Yayhoos version sounds like a long lost Rolling Stones/Faces cut from the early ’70s; maybe a cross between “Happy” and “Tumbling Dice” mixed in with, say, Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs” or his former band’s “Stay With Me”.  Anderson sings with some serious Keef Richards mojo, a bit of country twang that’s certainly in the same ballpark as fellow Yayhoo Baird as he belts out a fun and spirited lyric about how much love he can give to someone of the fairer sex.  And how about the guitar work on this cut?  So much CHONK from Anderson and Ambel, the latter of which throws in some tasty counter chunk and leads against the former’s steady rhythm.  And how about Baird and Christopher?  Both switch up instruments; Baird laying down a seriously groovy bassline that would make Bill Wyman proud and Christopher bashing the drums with some serious heat.  Great backing vocals from Ambel too.

Now THIS ladies and gentlemen, is what a good bar band should sound like.  If I ever get back into the game we’d have to play this one-  just a good time booty shakin’ rock and roll tune with plenty of mojo and swagger.  If you like, track down The Yayhoos disc and while you’re at it grab a Dan Baird solo disc or pick up one from Terry Anderson and his Olympic Ass-Kickin’ Team.  Fine fine stuff.