John ‘Ratso’ Gerardi is an excellent singer, guitar player besides a real veteran of New York scene who really knows music business and cleverly combines with very good taste all black music fields, gathering the most varied musical influences Ratso does not mind to mix Muddy Waters with Michael Jackson or even Tom Jones music, and he does it with a subtle gift and an extreme good taste The musicians who back him cleverly know their job and give a bright professional performing in both Silent Witness and Water Rising cds Two bright cool but at the same time powerful records that will surely satisfy you An effective final production and solid arrangements built on efficient basis, give as a result these two excellent albums Pop, r&b, soul, rock, blues and american roots music are tastefully combined along these two impressing Ratso’s pieces of work