Tas Cru Album "Might Give Out... But I Won't Give In" Review.

Artist: Tas Cru

Album: Might Give Out... But I Won't Give In 

Released: 2026

Website: https://tascru.com/

Tas Cru is based in New York state and a staple on the modern blues scene. He is a touring musician playing throughout North America and Europe regularly, working the blues scene like it owes him money. His music is a well mixed cocktail of both blues and roots rock and his delivery is as relaxed as the biggest alligator in the swamp. 

Track one, Might Give Out is the first single from this fine release and was the obvious choice, as it embodies the blend of the blues and roots rock impeccably. It is reminiscent of the great Mark Knopfler in both composition and tasteful guitar stylings. The vocal is a perfect fit for the laid back vibe that is presented on the album opener. Tas is a treasure of a songwriter, which seems to be a fading craft these days. It is good to know there are still some cats out there doing it this well. 

The very next track Lucky At Love is a more traditional blues approach in the sense it has a very well pocketed shuffle with familiar changes and the presence of a harmonica. The band's groove on this cut drives without ever pushing too hard and landing the song into the blues rock genre. It is a well played classic sounding blues that is swimming in class and confidence. The spotlight on this record is shared with all the very competent musicians, each seeing some time in the sun and adding to the whole production quite well. Again, never stepping out of their role of delivering well seasoned music. 

Another more traditional blues cut Two Big Feet is a standout track, lyrically professing his love for both rock and roll and the blues. Leaning on the classic blues changes with a surf beat marries these two styles exactly as they were meant to be. Most guitar players in the blues genre build their sound from the guitar down, but Tas seems to have taken the opposite approach of building the band and groove from the kick drum up, using the very well played guitar as a spice, versus the entree. It is an old school approach that is less about the ego and more about not pummeling the listener with the same old licks that countless players can execute at the highest levels. But instead choosing mature taste in his note selection. 

Tas Cru is clearly quite comfortable in his skin. The music he writes and plays is a shining example of a lifelong commitment to music. There is maturity and patience in it that can come only from decades of chasing it down, eliminating all the frills and leaving nothing but the simple truth. His playing is as tasteful as it gets at every turn. His vocals are natural, never sounding forced and stretched beyond the point of comfort for both him and the listener. There is no phony rasp, but just a confidence in who he is and what he is saying. If you are unfamiliar with his music I highly recommend checking him out! 

Check out the interview below with Tas Cru....

Tell us the brief history of your band or musical career.

Now these days a well-worn, widely traveled but not-quite-yet-weary road warrior, I liken myself to a sort of Don Quixote. Like that fabled (and misguided) knight I am idealistic, perhaps to a fault. It is true that more and more, people consume rather than listen to music. They devour songs like a burger & fries from the late-night drive thru. That said, I still believe there are those who want well-written and well-recorded songs they can savor. All along my utmost goal with making albums has been to write those very kind of songs and dream they will reach those very kind of people. Like the Quixote, I will always dare to dream.

Might Give Out is my eighth album recorded at Subcat Music Studios (Syracuse NY). I have developed a great working relationship with engineer and studio owner, Ron Keck. Since our first project – You Keep the Money in 2014, I have learned a lot from him. He is a masterful drummer and percussionist with a strong understanding of music theory and its elements, melody and harmony. In 2017, he and I reworked songs from my earlier “practice albums” (Biscuit, Gravi-Tas, Grizzle n’ Bone, Tired of Bluesmen Cryin’ and Jus’ Desserts) and released Simmered & Stewed, which was nominated for a Blues Music Award. Since then, we have recorded six albums (Memphis Song, Drive On, Broke Down Busted Up, Riffin’ the Blue. Tas Cru Band LIVE and my new one. Broke Down Busted Up and Tas Cru Band LIVE both earned Blues Blast award nominations.

I have pretty much recorded with the same musicians for my entire career, some of whom have been in my touring bands as well. Mary Ann “Mia” Casale has been with me for the last dozen years. Other regulars include drummer Andy Hearn and bassist, Bob Purdy. Harp duties have always been handled by Dick Earl Ericksen. Beginning with Memphis Song I started the practice of bringing on one, sometimes two, musician friends from outside my immediate circle. Riffin’ the Blue features Bruce Katz on keys and Mike Zito guests on two tracks. The incomparable Anne Harris is featured on several songs on Broke Down Busted Up. Victor Wainwright and Pat Harrington teamed up on the title track for Memphis Song. For my current release I assembled a group that I believed would bring an overall more earthy sound to the project. They include Casale, Ericksen and Hearn of course, current bandmate Scott Ebner (keys) bassist, Colin Beatty, a veteran of several tours, and longtime friend from my early days, slide master, Jeremy Walz. 


Is there a particular song that has resonated with you for a long time?

Yes, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” To me this song marks the moment of Dylan’s transcendence to becoming an artist rather than just another folk singer. He risked losing his career footing by branching out, stepping out of the box that industry insiders were building around him. I liken this to my own career, choosing to go eclectic as a singer-songwriter walking in the blues world and – not sticking to the script as a bluesman. I admit, this has made it difficult for talent buyers and promoters to define me as a performer and fit me into their plans.


What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

I once, somehow found myself onstage at a venue in Lafayette LA with the legendary Henry Gray and L’il Buck Senegal. To say the least, I was thrilled and got a bit carried away fueled by my excitement. After a couple songs into the set, Buck turned to me and said, “There’s only one man these people came here to see today and you ain’t him.” In short, be respectful to the other musicians you share the stage with and know your place.

What's new in the recording of your music?

Well, AI of course, which I have zero interest in using. But,there has always been the challenge of what technology to use or not use. My early experiences involved analog recording to 2-inch tape – 16 tracks and of late, digital recording. With digital recording there is a fine line where the technology takes over. You must be careful not to cross that line, which to me is when you use technology to replace performance.

How has your music changed over the years?

In some ways yes. I have become more comfortable with less overall post -production. Also, I have developed a strong liking for recording with acoustic instruments. This began with my acoustic-based album Broke Down Busted Up that featured my acoustic guitar much more than my electric and included Harris’ violin and Casale on dulcimer. This feeling blossomed on the recent Casale’s album, Where I Belong, which I produced. On this album I once again fell in love with my resonator. I set it up with a special type of tuning long used by country artists and aptly called Nashville Tuning. I have continued this approach on Might Give Out.

What inspires you to write the music you write? 

I am a writer. When an idea strikes me, I just can’t let it go. When writing songs three key elements must come together in order for it to potentially become a good song. They are the lyrics, the musical moments (aka riffs) and the song concept. Each of these things can be starting points for a song – an ear-catching phrase (lyric), a feel-good melody or rhythm (riff) or a strongly felt reason for writing the song (concept).

I love language and am always keen to unique things people say and how they say them. Riffs will all of sudden pop out to me when playing around on my guitar. And there are lots of things I observe in this life that I want to express my thoughts about.

What made you want to play the instrument you play? 

Honest answer? I found out at a young age that girls tend to like guys who play guitar – doesn’t work for me so much these days and that is very ok!


How does your latest album differ from any of your others in the past? 

As anyone familiar with my music would expect Might Give Out is an eclectic mix of roots music styles. It’s mostly blues but you’d have to be a believer that blues music is a great big tent to consider calling this a blues album. It leads off with the autobiographical title track that roughly outlines my career. Every song on this album is a personal story In some songs my imagination is a bit more active. The title track is a biopic that to me is very hard to pin down to a genre. As the album opener it might have listeners wondering if there is going to be any blues on this record, but next up is Lucky at Love a feel-good Chicago styled shuffle. More blues? Pass Them Biscuits is a drive to a Mississippi hill country Sunday picnic. Two Big Feet cops a NOLA vibe with Known All Along and Come to Be akin to a Soul Blues feel. Left outside and looking into that big blues tent are the roots-rock Favorite Song and the Okie red-dirt, Tulsa Tornado. Nasty Turn is unapologetically a straight up rock-blueser. I bring things to a close with just me and my resonator on the deeply personal, Smell Like Whiskey.

Tell me what your first music teacher was like. What lessons did you learn from them that you still use today?

My first music teacher, whose name was Alden Sharp (Mr. A#). He was a pretty grim fellow. The lesson I learned was that playing music should be fun rather than a chore. It was never fun with A#. He actually kicked me once for not playing a part correctly. Karma – his daughter married a rock and roll drummer.

How would your previous band mates describe you and your work ethic?

The positives would be that I write really good songs that are fun for them to play, I am a very organized and honest band leader who treats them with respect. My big negative is that I am a very serious person and to those who don’t know me, I appear to be rather gruff and hard to approach.

What do you like most about your new album?

Might Give Out just sounds and feels so fresh to me. It has lots of energy. We didn’t sacrifice feel for perfection!

What is the best way to stay updated on current news; gigs, releases, etc.

The official website is always the best source. I just can’t keep up with the need to constantly monitor and manage the numerous social media landscape. Besides, I pay lots of money for that site!

Anything you would like to share, from new merch to upcoming shows/tours or songs/albums?

Might Give Out will be available directly on Bandcamp and my website where you can order vinyl and cds as well as purchase downloads.

What's next for your band?

With regard to performing, I will be sticking mostly to the Northeast this summer. In the fall I plan a Midwest run and a short stint in the southeast in early December. In the spring I will be returning to Europe. I hope to release two singles by next April – one a cover of a classic Dylan song and the other an original funky treat that will feature a full horn section and killer sassy-chick backing vocals!

What are your interests outside of music?

I am an avid reader and love baseball, dogs and people who are kind to each other.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

In my past I have run and completed two New York City Marathons.