Rip Cat Records artist - Mike Eldred Trio - 61/49

I've been told that 2013 is gonna be a great year. If the quality of music coming across my desk this year is a sign... we're in for a windfall. I am reviewing the just released Mike Eldred Trio release, 61/49 on Rip Cat Records and it's a blast! Opening with Eldred original, Don't Go Down There, an acapella spiritual number this recording is off to a terrific start. Eldred shows that he has the voice to carry off this type of track and is backed by the Emmanuel Church Gospel Choir. This track is authentic, real.... terrific! Every track on this release is an Eldred original and next up is Jake's Boogie. This is a fast paced Texas style guitar boogie (instrumental) and it's a 1st class ripper! Louise has got a bit of lope to it and Eldred belts out this rockabilly flavored blues track and plays smokin' blues riffs along with Kid Ramos keeping the track hot end to end. She's A Rocket takes a real dip into the R&R featuring Ike Turner on piano and keeps you boppin with Jeff Turmes on Bari sax honking out great bottom. This is a trio and Eldred is back on each tune by John Bazz (bass) and Jerry Angel (drums). Ruby's Blues is a soft sultry track giving Eldred a great opportunity to show his slow blues guitar chops and that he does. You like slow blues... you'll love this track. This Old Train is a easy going pop track reminicent of early Ricky nelson accompanied by Cesar Rosas on nylon string acoustic guitar. This is a track destined for airplay. Jimmy, Jimmy is a great rocker with hot piano by Ike Turner pushing the rhythm. Eldred really gets the recording charged with this number and his vocals and guitar work are great! Ms. Gayles Chicken House ... just the name conjures up an image and the instrumental light jazz boogie meets the bill. One of the best tracks on the release, this has a great groove and also features Scotty Moore on second guitar. Don't take my word for it. This is cool. I Ain't Comin' Back has a great bottom and uses construction techniques similar to the early Brit blues players playing real blues in the 60's. Eldred plays really hot riffs on this track and his tone is spot on. Lookie Here is a step right out of the early rock blues transformation and Eldred and the gang have the sound down to precision. Again Eldred's vocals are well placed in the track and his guitar work is straight forward and really clean. Swingin! 61/49 is the last track on the release and done acoustically on a resonator...closing the release as it opened... on a primitive earthy real note. This is a great release and one that is certainly a candidate for Bman's Best of 2013 list.

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