Agent Blue is Lonnie Aarssen (vocals and keyboards), Rollie Dupras (guitars), Gord McRae (vocals and drums), Paul Halladay (guitars and backing vocals) and Bill Plaxton (bass).

Declassified's original songs include "Last Walk Out My Door". Written by Dupras and Aarssen it's packed with wicked guitar solos straight out of Eric Clapton's guitar case. This song will get everyone on the dance floor and the ice cold beverages flowing.

Dupras wrote the band's instrumental anthem "Agent Blue" with a beautiful tip of the hat to the big late-60's hit "Big Spender". Vocally, "Big Spender" has been recorded and performed by such famous singers as Peggy Lee, Freddie Mercury and more recently Shakira. It's a great song and what Rollie did to make it their own "Agent Blue" is rework the melody with sizzling keyboards, bringing in more bass and a haunting lead guitar. This song is beautiful.

"Ooo My My" and "If You Give Your Love Away" are written by Aarssen. "Ooo My My" has a funk sound with serious bridges injected for a fun loving good time while "If You Give Your Love Away" is played with charismatic guitars reminding of Stevie Ray Vaughan with it's attention to detail with chords. The lyrics and vocals are true down to earth blues with amazing harmonies.

Agent Blue delivers in Lonnie Aarssen's fun-filled "CCM Blues". This song is a beautiful throwback to the past where you can almost picture a young Frank Sinatra belting out the lyrics in a smoke filled dancehall. The lyrics are clever > ...I like cruising around this town on my CCM... I love where Aarssen's head is at writing this song because when I was a young boy myself I owned a metalic green 3-speed CCM Elan; whenever my dad got down on me I hopped on my CCM and rode for miles with the wind in my face and places to see. 

Bill Plaxton contributes a firey instrumental titled "Willy's Riff". This gem could easily find it's way into a movie as the soundtrack. The musical collaboration of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards is a music experience taking you on a voyage that you don't want to end. Plaxton's blues influence is sonically charged with the psychedlic sixties. Legendary Clapton and Ginger Baker would probably love to jam with these guys.

Agent Blue does incredible work on covering Elvis Aaron Presley's "All Shook Up". Agent Blue breathes new life into the Gene Vincent classic "Be-Bop-A-Lula" with slick guitars reminding me of Colin James Little Big Band project plus the cool keyboards of Downchild Blues. "Lucille" and Eddie Boyd's 1952 hit "Five Long Years" are more dynamite covers that are well worth a listen. 

Their is a clever splash of jazz which is peppered in their unique sound. Fans of B.B. King and Muddy Waters will easily find comfort within their music for the rich blues guitar riffs and the passion echoing from Lonnie, Paul and Gord harmonies.

Agent Blue has been on the Kingston and area music landscape since 1998. Besides regular shows in the region, Agent Blue is a well received returning act at the annual Limestone City Blues Festival. Agent Blue can easily go toe-to-toe with the major label heavyweights. If you're looking for danceable party music Agent Blue is a crowd favourite.

www.agentblue.ca

Chris White