I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Men Of The Swamp Live, from Packrat's Smoke House and it's swampy delta blues at it's best. Opening with The Night Jack Frost Killed Possum Brown, a slow blues track with a raw edge with traces of Jr Kimbrough. Featuring Anthony "Packrat" Thompson on lead vocal and harmonica, Robert "Lightning Boy" Thomas on guitar, Aaron Pop Watson on drums, Kenny "The Wizard" Sly on bass and Peter Beers on keys. Taped live at Babe James Center, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, this is a really nice set. On Hush Hush, a definite Chicago style shuffle, Packrat's harp work is wailing and Lightning Boy's guitar work true to the style. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Smoke Stack Lightning with Lightning Boy leading the way with a real round guitar sound and Packrat's wailing harp, this track is great! Another of my favorites on the release Smokehouse Boogie with a no holds barred guitar boogie. Lightning Boy really winds it out on this one with a relentless guitar lead played with Packrat's rugged vocals and the tight rhythm of Sly and Watson. Very cool. Wrapping the first side and concert one is Hoo Doo Woman's Blues with real R&B spank. Nicely blended vocals, packrat's harp and Beers on keys, this track is a great closer. Disc 2 was recorded at Bradforsville Blues Club and consists of 4 extended blues tracks. The shortest of the 4, clocking in at nearly 7 minutes, Sue City Sue is a solid shuffle with smooth vocals and pronounced bass by Sly. This is an earthy mix of R&B and blues in it's dirty best. Check it out.
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