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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International. Show all posts

Monday, August 12, 2024

Ndidi O - Simple Songs For Complicated Times - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Simple Songs For Complicated Times, by Ndidi O and it's quite entertaining. Opening with Get Gone, with it's strong melody, Ndidi O shows how clear and strong her voice is, backed by Dawn Pemberton, Khari McClelland, and Keri Latimer on backing vocals. I really like Gary Craig's drum flair and with Sam Howard on bass, rhythmic key work by Chris Gestrin and dynamic slide work by Steve Dawson, this is a potent opener. Dawson plays acoustic guitar as well as pedal steel adding quite a bit of texture to Light On with it's poppy feel and vocal styling. Stripping it back to pure folk vocal on In May, Ndidi blends vocals nicely over the wailing pedal steel of Dawson. With just light touches of percussion and bass and finger picked National steel body. This is a strong entry to the release. Entering into Al Green territory, R&B infused, Too Late, is one of my favorites on the release with a moving rhythm and terrific vocal work by Nididi, Pemberton, McClelland and Latimer and a slick guitar solo by Dawson. Wrapping the release is Worth with it's rock overtone yet slightly funky. Dawson strums full chords and tight snare work lies tight under the active vocal work of Ndidi. This is a cool release leaning heavily to pop style vocals but with plenty of grit for your tastebuds. 


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Thursday, June 20, 2024

Rene' Huard Project - Blues Calling - New Release Review

 


I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Calling, from Rene' Huard and it's a contemporary blues rocker. Opening with Hard Times, an up tempo rocker, Rene' Huard on lead vocal and harmonica sets a strong pace. HIs vocals are clear and his harmonica rich and melodic. Joined by Jack de Keyzer on guitars, Alec Frazer Jr. on bass, Al Cross on drums, Eric Lambier on keys and Richard Thornton on percussion, this is a cool opener. Blues based rocker, Demolition Man, has a real nice feel with a great rhythm. Huard's vocals are really strong and his harmonica work pure. With a fluid yet understated guitar solo by de Keyzer, a perfect radio track. With it's traditional blues groove, I really like I Do, featuring Huard's vocal and super harp work over a grinding rhythm and flaming lead guitar by de Keyzer. With it's seductive guitar intro by de Keyzer and smooth melody, Sharp Curves is another track with strong radio appeal. Wrapping the release is Ten Pound Stone, a stripped down blues stomper with Huard on vocal and harmonica working against de Keyzer on slide. A powerful track with a gritty feel. 


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Thursday, February 8, 2024

Dom Martin - Buried In The Hail - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buried In The Hail, and it's a pretty interesting mix of contemporary rock and blues. Opening with Hello In There, an instrumental featuring Belfast born, Dom Martin on acoustic guitar, this really creates a cool setting for what's to come. Martin kicks things up a notch with Daylight I Will Find, a cool rocker with blues overtones. Martin has a strong voice and his acoustic guitar work, along with pounding percussion and a strong melody make this a favorite on the release. Ramping it up a to driving drums and electric slide, Martin shows great finesse on Belfast Blues. His stirring slide work and emotion filled vocals give this track a lot of positive tension. With it's loose, funky rhythm, ragged guitar riffs, concise soloing and tight bottom, Unhinged is the most creative track on the release and certainly is my top pick on the release. Howlin' is a contemporary rag tune with nimble fingered Martin dancing across the fretboard with snare accompaniment and vocal. Very cool. I thank that Lefty 2 Guns is a particularly cool track bringing the style of early Robin Trower or maybe David Gilmore to mind. It isn't Trower's trademark riff or Gilmore's phrasing, not even close. It's the poise and finesse. Very nice. Wrapping the release is another solid acoustic instrumental, Laid To Rest with an imaginative guitar strumming and raking pattern creating a quiet close. Very nice. 


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Thursday, January 26, 2023

Stony Plain Records artist: Rory Block - Ain't Nobody Worried - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't Nobody Worried, by Rory Block and it's a solid entry into her Power Women of the Blues series (Volume 3). Opening with Mavis Staples' I'll Take You There, Block accompanies herself with her resilient acoustic guitar as well as slide and percussion with soulful lead vocal and great backing vocals. Strong opener. On Mary Wells' classic R&B track, My Guy (My Girl), Block does a really nice job to retain the pop orientation of the original again, only with the backing of her guitar and percussion. Very nice. On Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind, Block digs deep to that extra feeling and produces solid vocal results. With only the minimal of guitar and warm backing vocals, this track really works nicely. Carole King's stellar, You've Got A Friend works well for Block, overdubbing her own vocal backing with her own lead on one of the late 20th century's best tracks. Wrapping the release is Elizabeth Cotton''s trademark, Freight Train, with Block shining playing Cotton's best know song in her own style and completed with Block's own vocal style and slide work. This is a super release dedicated to the great women of song. 


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Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Gypsy Soul Records artist:The Commoners - Find A Better Way - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Find A Better Way, from The Commoners and it has all of the swagger and sting you would want. Opening with title track, Find A Better Way, Chris Medhurst shows what a rock frontman is supposed to sound like. With a touch of Steve Marriott, and a powerful bottom, led by Adam Cannon on drums and Ben Spiller on bass as well as solid guitar riffs by Ross Haynes Citrullo gives this track real bite. More than Mistakes has a firm bottom and some real nice lead guitar by Citrullo, supported by Miles Evans-Branagh on keys and Medhurst on rhythm guitar. Solid radio track. Naturally, has a strong melody and rich backing vocals by Chantal Williams, Shezelle Weekes and Tash Lorayne, coupled with a strong sway making it another top radio candidate. I Won’t adds another dimension with just a touch of country blues, and the steel guitar finesse of Michael Ekhart and really nice vocal blending. Very nice. Wrapping the release is stripped down folk blues, Alive, featuring the lush vocals of Medhurst, with beautiful steel work by Ekhart. This is really a nice release with a lot of meat. 


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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Cleopatra Records artist: Andy McCoy - Jukebox Junkie - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Jukebox Junkie, by Finnish rocker Andy McCoy and it's a solid rocker with a twist. Opening with I'm Gonna Roll, a great power rocker with a driving beat, McCoy is up front on guitar with Sammy Aaltonen, Matthew Janaitis and Tommi Piipponen on vocal, Christian Wentzel on drums and Matthew Janaitis on bass.  Hot Night In Texas gas a great thumping bottom with Jamie Hembree and Niki Westerback on vocal and Jouni Kari on keys giving McCoy a great platform to show his guitar aero acrobatics. Very cool. Climax Blues Band's I Couldn't Get It Right, gets a minor redo with Janaitis on vocals and Roni Star on percussion, Kari on keys and overlayed guitar soloing by McCoy. 60's surf styling comes to play on Funnel of Love featuring Sofia Zida on vocal and space age keyboard work by Kari and some otherworldly guitar from McCoy. Wrapping the release is UKSubs' Countdown with a cool rock bottom by Janaitis and Robert Valeno, heavy vocals by Piipponen and obtuse key/guitar work by Kari and McCoy. This is an interesting release with solid rock footings. 


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Thursday, November 3, 2022

HipsterDumpster Records artist: Matty T Wall - Live Down Underground - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Down Underground, by Matty T Wall and it's a hot new blues rocker...live! Opening with Broken Heart Tattoo, Australian blues guitar player Matty T Wall hits the road running with his aggressive guitar attack and solid vocals. Joined by Ric Whittle on drums and Leigh Miller on bass this is a romping boogie. Solid opener.  Slideride is a hot rocker with Wall letting his slide do the talking. With a driving beat, Wall shows a relentless approach on guitar with the rawness of Hound Dog Taylor. Excellent track. Another driving track, Scorcher, shows Wall's excellent picking style mixed with dark overtones. Miller sets a great pace and Whittle adds fuel to the flame. This track is a scorcher. This Is Real slows things down quite a bit with Wall strumming a chord and then singing melodic phrases. With only the simplicity of Miller's bass and Whittle's drum strokes, this track really sits nicely. As the track matures, Wall steps forward and solos with excellent blues rock guitar phrasing. Very nice. Hendrix's Voodoo Chile is the basis for a strong, live jam that clocks in at nearly 15 minutes. Wrapping the release is Smile, a meandering guitar blues with solid footing and excellent phrasing. With active bass lines by Miller and a solid tom tom beat by Whittle, Wall closes this show down nicely. If you're looking for a great blues rocker this may be one of the best of the year.


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Friday, September 9, 2022

Bywater Call - Remain - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Remain, from Bywater Call and it's a cool, modern, southern flavored, funk fused rocker. Opening with Falls Away, Meghan Parnell on lead vocal, shows clear command of the track with Dave Barns on guitar, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and trombone, Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on bass, Julian Nalli on sax and Alan Zemaitis on keys. I particularly like the stiff drum rhythm by McCarthy played against the lush slide work of Barnes. Great opener. Title track, Remain, has all of the components of a top radio track with it's sweet, memorable melody, strong vocals and instrumental arrangement with just the right amount of guitar. Let Me Be Wrong has a lot of sting with it's R&B beat and excellent vocals by Parnell and warm keyboard / vocal backing. Meusel sets a great bass posture on Sea We Swim and with McCarthy on drums, Zemaitis on keys and full horn support of Dyte. Parnell really swings it vocally making this one of my favorites on the release. Excellent! Bring It Back with a R&B flavored feel and powerful vocals by Parnell and punchy horn work by Dyte and Nalli give this track a firm base and Barnes cuts his guitar loose for a great ripping slide solo.  This really a cool release and one with broad appeal. Check it out. 


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Wednesday, September 7, 2022

David Owen - Oh Suzana Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oh Suzana Blues, from David Owen and it's solid acoustic country blues. Opening with Soul of a Sullen Man, David Owen on vocal, harmonica and guitar is joined by Dominic Davis on bass and Fats Kaplin on violin. Very nice in a Rev Gary Davis style. On All Folks Get The Blues, Owen takes to a Piedmont style picking, complimenting his vocal with harmonica with special guest Colin Linden adding guitar as well. Very nice. Bankruptcy Blues is a cool, delta style blues with Owen on vocal, harmonica and guitar. This track has a real Mali undertone giving it a rich delta feel. Title track, Oh Suzana Blues is a real simple country folk blues with it's straightforward approach and vocal dominance. Wrapping the release is So Lonesome Without You, a cool folk track featuring Owen on vocal and harmonica and Colin Linden on dobro. Nicely crafted and presented, this is a solid closer for a cool acoustic release. 


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Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Blue Moon Marquee - Scream, Holler & Howl - New Release Review


 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Scream, Holler & Howl, from Blue Moon Marquee, and it's a cool blend of blues, swing gypsy jazz and more. Opening with title track, Scream, Holler and Howl, Blue Moon Marquee (A.W. Cardinal - vocal and guitar and Jasmine Colette - bass) gets this newest release (September 9, 2022) moving with a cool variation on a Howlin' Wolf theme with a spin. Backed by Darcy Phillips on Hammond, Matt Pease on drums Jerry Cook on sax this is a cool opener. Hound Dog On A Chain is a strong blues rocker with a driving bottom. With Colette on vocal and bass, and Cardinal on guitar really gets moving with a Booker T kind of sound complimented by Phillips' organ work. Lowlands has an early jazz sound with definite bluesy roots. With Colette on lead vocal and Bonnie Northgraves on sassy trumpet, this is a very cool track. Slinky, Come On Down really has a nice feel thanks to the snappy underpinnings by Pease on drums and Cook's bari sax work, complimenting the vocal work of Colette. Cool rag/gypsy jazz track, My Wild Rose is really cool with Cardinal back up front on lead vocal and a really nice synchronized gypsy style guitar soloing between Cardinal and Paul Pigat, with Phillips on piano, Colette on bass and Pease on drums. Very smart. Red Dust Rising is a solid blues track with Cardinal growling out the lead vocal. Philips piano really adds a classic blues character and Cardinal's guitar riffs add a modern authenticity. Wrapping the release is Another Night To Cry in classic blues styling. With Duke Robillard laying down a strong rhythm and Cardinal on guitar and lead vocal, over Phillips on piano, Colette on bass and Pease on drums this track is a fine closer. 


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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Stony Plain Records artist: The Hogtown Allstars - Hog Wild - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hog Wild, from The Hogtown Allstars and it's super. Opening with New Orleans flavored, Mr. Lucky, featuring Chuck Jackson on lead vocal, Gary Kendall on bass, Pat Carey on sax, Teddy Leonard on guitars, Howard Moore on trumpet, Jim Casson on drums and featuring super piano work by Tyler Yarema on piano and backing vocals by Quisha Wint, Jill Zadeh and Selena Evangeline. Shuffle, Real Good Night has a party feel with solid horn backing by Carey and Moore and prominent placement by Wint, Zadeh and Evangeline. Moore lays in a real nice guitar melody on this track but this tune really is prime for airplay. Subway Casanova is one of my favorite tracks with it's swampy, funky rhythm and great slide work by Leonard. Chicago style blues, Biscuits and Beans is stripped down with Jackson on vocal and harmonica and Leonard on guitar. This is as pure and simple as it gets. Very nice. Wrapping the release is I Ain't Lyin' a driving boogie. With Jackson, Kendall and Moore on vocal and the music being carried by Yarema, Kendall and Casson with some real nice horn work by Carey this is a solid closer for a strong release. 


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Friday, August 5, 2022

Jim Dan Dee - Real Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Real Blues, from Jim Dan Dee, and I really like it. Opening with Guitar Slim's The Things That I Used To Do, Jim Stefanuk on lead vocal and guitar is on attack. His vocals are strong and his riffs relentless. Backed by Shawn Royal on drums, Dwayne Lau on bass and Jason Sewerynek on sax, this is a fiery opener. On title track, Real Blues, the band uses a slow firm pace to create dynamics and Stefanuk plays lead arpeggiation and fluid lead runs over reverb saturated harmony. With David Gilmore like phrasing, this track is sure to be a fan favorite. Rock and roller, Two Shakes of a Lamb's Tail has a cool backbeat courtesy of Royal and Lau. Sewerynek really punctuates with his sax work and Stefanuk's vocals are cocky with stinging guitar riffs to back 'em up. Solid. I like the approach on T for Trouble with a heavy bottom and heavy guitars under the vocal. Sewerynex wails the blues on sax and Stefanuk grinds on guitar.  This is pure 70's blues rock. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Texas style boogie, Money Don't Work On The Devil and the band is in full tilt. Strong closer. 


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Friday, July 29, 2022

Cliff Stevens - Better Days - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Better Days, from Cliff Stevens and it's it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Better Days, a solid rocker with a good SRV style swagger, features Cliff Stevens on lead guitar and vocal, Serge Dionne on bass, Eric Sauve on keys, and Sam Harrisson on drums. With a "southern rock" flavor, No Room Left has a nice ABB like feel ... I can almost hear Chuck Leavell on piano. With a strong radio melody and select guitar riffs, this is a strong radio contender. Another serious radio contender is Light Of An Angel with a pure pop ballad melody. Stevens does a nice job as vocal front man and paired with Kim Feeney on harmony and a melodic slide solo, pure radio gold. Bluesy ballad, I Love You Still, is my favorite track on the release with cool blues progressions and a strong melody. Stevens lets the music flow with some more aggressive soloing and fluid runs. Very nice. Blues shuffle, True Love has a great feel with nice piano work by Sauve, nice backing vocals by Feeney and a slashing guitar solo of his own. I Been Thinking About You is another solid blues entry in the vein of Guitar Slim. With his vocal call and guitar response, this is a real nice track with an extended guitar workout, boosted by the warm organ of Sauve and the harmonica work of Pat Loiselle. Very nice. Wrapping the release is finger picking Slim Picking featuring Stevens on acoustic guitar. This is generally laid back but artistically nice and a solid closer to a solid release. 


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Friday, June 3, 2022

Stony Plain Records artist: HOROJO Trio - Set The Record - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Set The Record, from HOROJO Trio and I really like it. Opening with rocker, Man of Steel, lead vocalist Jeff Rogers who also plays keys leads the way, with well known guitar slinger JW-Jones on guitar and Jaime Holmes doing a great job on drums really get it ramped up. R&B track, Set The Record Straight has a lightly funky rhythm and the real richness of Rogers vocals shine through. Jones, who lead the vocal charge on his own solo releases and Holmes do a terrific job blending backing vocals making this a tight vocal effort.  One of my favorite tracks on the release is Stay Crazy with it's soulful feel and terrific lead vocals. With it's radio melody and Jones tasty guitar riffs, this track is very nice. Another particularly strong track is The Night with has a terrific melody, strong lead vocal by Rogers who adds warm organ backing and includes a sweet guitar solo by Jones. Very nice. Contemporary blues rocker, Give and Take gives Jones a real chance to show his blues roots with excellent riffs highlighting the track. Holmes takes charge on "James Brown" like rhythm as Jones and Rogers trade vocal/guitar lead on Something You Should Know. This track really moves out and Jones slides right in with a crisp guitar solo that really capps the track and Holmes showboats a little himself adding real icing to this cake.  Real Deal begins as a high intensity rocker with HOROJO firing on high but slows to a really nice blues giving Jones a great opportunity to show his blues chops and that he does. Rogers is just what Jones needed to give him a wider audience with excellent pipes on this new release. 


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Monday, January 10, 2022

Outside The Box - Mike Nagoda - New Release - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (January 14, 2022) Outside the Box, from Mike Nagoda and it's an interesting blues rocker. Toronto based, Nagoda, was born with Cerebal Palsy and identifies as a queer, disabled blues and roots musician. Having a difficult time mastering guitar in a conventional fasion, Nagoda approached Toronto bluesman Brian Cober who developed the art of double slide where a slide is worn on two separate fingers creating an unusual effect. Opening with shuffle track, He's My Man, Nagoda wastes no time in displaying his sexuality, which was quite common with early blues although primarily heterosexual in nature. Joined by Liam Ward on harmonica, Nagoda showcases his double slide techniques. Pretty cool. With a slinky, kinda funky bottom, courtesy of D'Arcy Cain on bass, Jeremy Ronson on drums, Here To Stay has a rocky feel with Nagoda on guitar, vocal and Hammond. Slow, 8 bar track, Busker's Blues, features a nice guitar solo by Michael Keith, a solid piano solo by Anthony D'Allessandro, and some real nice harmonica by Liam Ward. O, Maximus is an interesting blues rocker with an adventurous instrumental extension featuring nice solos by Nagoda and Ward. Very nice. I think my favorite track on the release is "Pixies like" title track, Outside the Box, with it's alternating time signatures, vocal attack and rowdy guitar work by Frank Cosentino, Nelson Sobrel and Nagoda. Latin influenced, Conquistador, features cool percussion work by Chris Birkett with Ronson, Rex Ruber on alto sax, D'Allessandro on piano and a hot guitar solos by Robb Cappelletto and Nagoda. Wrapping the release is We Got A Party (Further On Up The Road), a loose blues rocking jam. D'Allesandro lays in another nice piano solo and Nagoda rips another solo of his own making this a solid closer for the release.

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Thursday, January 6, 2022

Another Planet Music LTD. artist: Mississippi MacDonald - Do Right, Say Right - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Do Right, Say Right, from Mississippi MacDonald and  I really like it. Opening with easy shuffle, I Was Wrong, Mississippi MacDonald is firing on all cylinders with a great soulful voice and fat, BB King like guitar phrasing, joined by Phil Dearing on keys, Elliot Boughen on bass and Mark Johnson-Brown on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release is funky blues, It Can't Hurt Me with it's Albert King influenced guitar riffs and MacDonalds solid vocals. Organ and horn accents throughout buy Dearing really punch up the track and aggressive bass lead by Boughen adds real bottom. Check out the tasty guitar lead on Drinker's Blues. MacDonals's fat bends and double stop accents really sets this track with strong backing vocals by Lucy Dearing. Slow Blues, If You Want A Good Cup Of Coffee is another of my favorite tracks on the release. MacDonald has a really solid voice, no taking away from that but when he knuckles down on guitar, he can really play. His trem bends and phrasing are really juicy and pinched harmonics accent nicely over the keyboard bed set by Dearing. Excellent! Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pocket is a particularly hot track with MacDonald showing that his influences are broad. With hints of T-Bone Walker, BB King, Albert King, and SRV to name only a few, MacDonald has you sitting back just riding the wave. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Your Wife Is Cheating On Us, a clever shuffle with traditional BB King formatting. With "horn" punch and keyboard backing, MacDonald uses this track as his vocal showcase and it's bound to be a crowd pleaser. His guitar riffs are stinging and his sensitivity it spot on. This is a really strong track to close a really strong release. 


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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Hunnia Records artist: Little G Weevil - Live Acoustic Session - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live Acoustic Set, from Little G Weevil, and I really like it. From the intro on original track, Keep Going, you can tell that Little G Weevil's newest release is going to be good. Totally acoustic and alone, Weevil shows a respect and love for the original delta style blues.  Another Weevil composition, Real Men Don't Dance, shows a lot of similarities to Hill Country blues style with very simple guitar riffs and call and response between his acoustic guitar and his own lead vocal. Very nice. On R L Burnside's Early In The Morning, Weevil rides tight on a traditional blues riff and wails the blues from his gut. With thumped strings and percussive raps on the guitar body, Weevil shows all the prowess of a delta blues man. Fluid lead runs and a great story line characterize Sasha Said, a straight up Chicago style blues track. Morganfield flavored, Apple Picker, is deep. Weevil really drills down on the guitar lead, accents and double stops before breaking cadence with some really nice fluid soloing and delivers the lead vocal in traditional style. Excellent! I really like the drone note bottom on On My Way to Memphis, with quick fillers supporting the vocal melody. Weevil of course takes a few bars to set the melody off and flesh out the tune. On closing Weevil takes the song very quiet, then exploding, showing just how much emotion one can put into a track with only acoustic guitar and voice. Very nicely done. Slow blues, She Used To Call Me Sugar, is an excellent example of strong blues guitar soloing on acoustic guitar and wailing blues vocals. I've always loved this style which I would call Hooker style with it's mix of changes in time, hammer ons and tight little soloing riffs. Really nice. Wrapping the release is John Lee Hooker's Roll And Boogie. Hooker was known for a lot of things but nobody charged a boogie like he did. Weevil dives into it head first with his driving guitar rhythm and stomping foot, pushing his grinding vocal attack, grunts, groans and fanning attack on the guitar. Excellent closer for a really strong release. 


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