I just received the new release (January 7, 2014),
Blue Yonder, from
Hard Garden and they are putting their own contemporary spin on the blues. Opening with
I Feel Evil, a shuffle track with cool harp by Michael Wilde and vocals by Son Jack Jr. Son House's
Depot Blues get a bit more of a light upbeat rock tempo but still holding onto blues roots.
Hey Now Mary has a definite hill country blues sound with authentic style fingering. And simple rhythmic percussion. Cool track.
Papa's In The Juke Joint maintains the primitive guitar sound but with a more modern drum rhythm. Vocals on this track have a modern spoken rhythm and slide guitar and harp give it a fuller dynamic. A cool electric guitar solo on this track is also particularly interesting.
I Can Tell goes full force into a "smooth" Latin rhythm. This track has the most potential for airplay on the release.
The Valley has a different vocal style from the rest of the release and actually puts me in mind of "Secret Agent Man meets Death Don't Have No Mercy". Very cool.
Dangerous takes a hard turn into electronica styling with rock undertones. Flailing slide work on this track is particularly cool.
Pour Me Another is an interesting blues melody on guitar with light percussion and spoken story along the lines of a modern Savoy Brown from the 70's. Cool Track with interesting harp work from Wilde.
Maximum Insecurity has a club beat with traces of blues and hints to Parchment Farm.
Showtime is a cool mix with blues roots but with modern percussion and mix vocals. Guitar and harp riffs throughout add width but it's the cool sax on this track that makes it slick. Wrapping with
Dangerous, remixed by Tim Scudder, a definite dance mix is lead by a relentless bass kick drum beat and electronic sounds. With loops and additions of vocals and sounds this is an interesting track to complete a daring blues geared effort.
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