Aris Paul Band - Ghosts - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ghosts, from Aris Paul Band and it's a cool country blues rocker. Opening with Astray, a modern, country fuser blues rocker, Aris Paul on vocal and guitar is upfront with Aaron Wagner on drums, Matt Scott on bass and Keith Quinn on organ. With it's driving rock rhythm and slide guitar riffs, this is a solid opener. Title track, Ghosts, has a memorable radio format melody and features The Soulville Horns (Phil Brontz on sax, Steve Graham on trombone and George Arner on trumpet). Paul stretches a bit on guitar giving this track a nice kick but it's really about the melody on this track. Bluesy ballad, All Night Long has a lot of appeal with heavy organ and nicely overdriven guitar solos complimenting soulful vocals by Paul. Little White Screen is my selection for best track with it's high energy pace, gritty guitar lead and solid vocals. Wrapping the release is Rust, is a straight up rocker with cool vocal by paul Wagner, and Quinn and with Paul showing his best rock guitar grit. Scott gets in a nice bass solo and Wagner is strong on drums but it's the whole that makes this band click. Very cool closer. This is a solid band from my original hometown and glad to see the Burg with a cool, contemporary rock band. 

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Arkansas Street Music artist - Bill Phillippe - Ghosts - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Ghosts, from Bill Phillippe and it's quite true to it's form. Opening with Robert Johnson's classic, Come On In My Kitchen, Phillippe uses an arrangement very similar to Johnson's own with simple accompaniment but with to my ear more of an African influenced guitar style. Very interesting. Father's Lament is a quiet acoustic ballad with a beautiful melody. Broken Cup has a nice 3/4 pace and war vocals with clear acoustic support. One of my favorites, Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning, has a modern approach to a classic track. With a much more rudimentary beat and contemporary vocals it has a new appeal to contemporary listeners. Tightrope is a moody ballad with a haunting melody. Big Bill's Dream has an interesting sound with blues like strumming but with subtle hints of western music. Traditional track, Motherless Children, has an entirely different feel with a contemporary feel but with thumb bass and a country blues root. The Ballad Of Blind Willie has a sound of sorrow but with more of a European style of writing, almost like of early sailors. God Don't Never Change has the stern sound of Son House and it's solid single string bass line but with contemporary melodic vocals. In My Time Of Dying has the finger style firmly based in traditional blues again with modern interpretation. Nice job. Son House's own Death Letter gets my closest listen with crisp finger picking and stylistic vocals. Very cool. Wrapping the release is a very nice version of You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond. This is the most traditional interpretation of the blues on the release and a cool selection for the final track.

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