Full Force Music Management artist: Sterling Koch Trio - Place Your Bets - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Place Your Bets, from Sterling Koch and it's more purely pop blues than previous releases. Opening with SRV's House Is Rockin', Koch is joined by Jack Kulp on harp and backing vocals. On Hound Dog Taylor's It's Alright, Koch again keeps the bottom easy but hits the slide nicely as well as complimenting with a sweet articulated guitar solo. Kulp again does a nice job on harp. Jimmy Reed's Dizzy doesn't vary much from Reed's original but with an easier approach. Again backing vocals from Kulp add to the breadth of the vocals and Koch's slide playing is top notch. ZZ Top's Tubesnake Boogie sees the addition of backing vocals from Jennifer Dierwechter. Again keeping it to a simple acoustic style, this track has a totally different feel from the heavy romper that Gibbons throws down. On Albert King's, Don't Bother Me, Kulp opens the track on harp and some of the most slicing slide work on the release bites through. Sonny Boy Williamson II's, Checkin' Up On My Baby defaults from lead harp to some real nice clean slide work. Kulp does check in with a nicely blown harp solo for one of the coolest track on the release. John Lee Hooker's Dimples, has a real nice swing, taking Hookers original feel to the next slickest step. I had noticed on earlier recordings Koch's proficiency on guitar but on this release, I have more of an appreciation of him as a vocalist. Neat and clean guitar and harp riffs fill this track. Otis Rush's My Baby (She's A Good 'Un) is up next and with a little twist of that southern flare and even maybe a taste of Johnathan Edwards, this track has some of the best harp work on the release. Kenny Wayne Shepherd's Blue On Black is a well known ballad with quiet approach. Jennifer Dierwechter has a more dominant role vocally and Koch, along with a rhythmic acoustic strumming, fills the air with sweet slide runs. Original Koch track, Nothin' But The Blues, has a super, wide open open slide solo and Kulp follows with a cool harp solo of his own. Wrapping the release is Peter Green's Oh Well!. Koch continues to reaffirm his skill as both a vocalist and guitar player. Nice job. If you're looking for a release where you'll remember each track and love slide work, this may be your ticket.

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