This debut recording, Big Red by Soulstack is really interesting. It mixes rock soul, gospel and blues to come up with what is a very good release. Soulstack is formed from what is left of a popular Toronto blues band, Wikens-Knight, featuring Jonathan Knight on vocal and guitar, Tom Bona on vocal and drums, Mark Wessenger on vocals and keys and Josh Knight on vocals and bass. In My Time Of Dying doesn't very as much from the center as Led Zep but it is a absolutely terrific track. It is performed with real authenticity. Desperate Times has a really warm feel to it and has a great back beat with clean slide guitar texture. This band sounds like they're from Florida or Atlanta...not Ontario. Skinny Girl is definitely one of the outstanding tracks on the release. It has a bit of the Taj Mahal island feel mixed with the southern funk. Just a great track. In Your Mind gets that Little Feat feel and even has a heapin' helpin' of funky slide. The vocal mixtures on this track as well as others is really great. Just A Natural Thing, keeping the funky/soul beat going does have a brief break where there is a straightforward blues guitar break. River Of Love has the spiritual/soul sound and is really a great sound for this lineup. These guys seem to have found their spot. Holy Roller again has some great vocal harmonies as well as cool guitar riffs. Let Me Be Your Fool shows great vocal harmonies played over primarily an acoustic resonator guitar. This solitude breaks into a full out jam at the end. Miss Me is one final soul style song to wrap up the recording. Vocal harmonies and instrumentation is really integrating throughout this entire recording. I believe that it will find a strong audience not only with vocal oriented and radio audiences but also with listeners with more instrumental tastes.
Great job!
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
