Who Needs Covers - Half Deaf Clatch - New Release Review

I have just received a new release, Who Needs Covers, by Half Deaf Clatch. This is a 6 track release and it is truly over before you know it. The first track, Ol' Death Train is based on Jitterbug Swing by Bukka White. It is a pure country blues with a quick pace with only Clatch on resonator, foot stomp and his voice. Up next is Station Blues based on Depot Blues by Son House. Another acoustic blues with only vocal and resonator, this is very authentic sounding blues. I understanding that many purists will indicate that they need to hear the grit of 50 years of scotch in the voice but I think that Clatch does a really nice job. Mississippi Bowl Weevil Stomp is a redo of Charlie Patton's track of the same name. Robert Johnson's Stones in My Pathway is an interpretation of Johnson's famous track. Clatch doesn't try to emulate Johnson's voice but does it with his own style. Son House's Death Letter Blues is done at a much quicker pace but still retaining a raw blues feel. John Alex Mason's Strange Things wraps the recording. This is a quiet solitude country delta style blues cd. I think it will be very entertaining to anyone liking the primitive blues.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Who Needs Shelter - Half Deaf Clatch

I just received a copy of Who Needs Shelter, the newest release from Half Deaf Clatch. Clatch has put together 14 tracks of primitive blues music using nothing but a resonator guitar, slide, butcher block stomp board, stompbourine and his own voice. Track 1, Dancing In The Rain, is a mix between delta and Richie Havens. Well Well has some smooth slide resonator work with open tuning and a cool delta flare. Oh My Daze although still primitive in nature has a lot more of a modern sound to it. The influences of more contemporary rock sounds are apparent although they work nicely rather than conflicting with Clatch's theme. Handful o' Trouble is a cool Piedmont style country blues, keeping with the sound of original blues but with a touch of today. Good Deal Blues is a happy go lucky tune with finger picking resonator and Clatch's honest voice. (singing the) Working Blues is done acapella much like that of an old work song. It captures the feel of the original styling and the name only reinforces what you already know. Very effective. Slow Deaf Shuffle hints to a bit farther north and the hills of Appalachia. The resonator almost sounds like a banjo but as used in the early country blues music. Good Old Diablo, is a stompin' delta blues track with a catchy hook on the slide resonator. Clatch's playing style matches well to the use of resonator controlling and magnifying the complexity of the simple sounds available. Never Really Happened has a definite modern construction on a primitive base. The sounds are all crude but the assemblage is well thought through and well executed. Clatch wraps the recording with Working Life Blues, sounding like an interim McKinley Morganfield track, one between his country delta sound and his uptown Chicago sound. Clatch has developed an interesting trilling sound on the guitar and keeping the stomp going makes for a cool ending to an interesting look at modern delta style blues. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Ol' Death Train - Half Deaf Clatch

Half Deaf Clatch (a.k.a Andrew McLatchie) is one man with a guitar, slide, stompboard and some songs. Playing resonator blues and stamping on a homemade amplified plank o' wood just for the sheer hell of it. He combines the influence of the Delta and Hill Country Blues of Mississippi with a contemporary alternative edge. Since his first gig in December 2010 Half Deaf Clatch has played over 50 shows, including The East Yorkshire Custom Bike Rally (once on the main stage, then as an invited special guest in the VIP enclosure), The Springboard Music festival, The Trinity Music Festival and recently played two extremely well recieved sets at The Beverley Blues Festival. 2012 has got off to a flying start for Hulls favourite slide stomper, having gotten through to the Newcastle heat of the New Brunswick Battle of the Blues it can only be onwards and upwards from here. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!