Casey James: Strip It Down - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strip It Down, by Casey James and it's quite good. Opening with blues rocker, All I Need, Tommy MacDonald sets a Ray Manzarek style bass groove and Casey James on lead vocal and guitar takes the bait. His vocals are gritty and his guitar tone is warm and rich. Backed by Kevin McKendree on Wurlitzer, Tom Hambridge on drums and Ron McNelley on rhythm guitars, this is a band made in heaven. Two stepper, Bulletproof, has a great feel and Delbert McClinton joins on vocal giving it great style and screaming harp work gives it great edge. Hurt Me More has a real nice Texas lope where McKendree's dancing key work nicely compliments James' vocals and guitar riffs. Very nice. Pat Buchanan's harp work sets the tone for Latin flavored blues number, I Got To Go with a great sound. Hambridge's tight rhythm patterns drive this track, McKendree's B3 solo adds color and James guitar soloing and vocals are top notch. Little Willie John's, Need Your Love So Bad, is one of my definite favorites on the release showcasing James' vocal style and providing just that right forum for an expressive guitar solo. Excellent! With a taste of R&B, James steps forward on strong radio track, Different Kind Of Love with a solid melody, joined by Wendy Molten on backing vocals and potent horn work by the Muscle Shoals Horns. Very nice. McKendree opens Makin' Up, a potent rocker, with a rolling piano riff and they're off to the races. A definite foot stomper, and excellent piano/guitar exchange make this another of the favorite tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Fight You For The Blues, a raw blues number with James on lead guitar and McNelley on slide giving the track real grit. McDonald's bass lines and McKendree's B3 work add to the tension and Hambridge's perfect accent drumming really kick it. Super closer.

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Brad Hatfield - For A Change - New Release review

I just received the newest release, For A Change, from Brad Hatfield and it's got quite a sting. Opening with That's My Home, a blues rocker, Hatfield handles lead vocals and Bob Britt is hot on guitar. Kevin McKendree (keys), Tommy MacDonald (bass) and Tom Hambridge (drums) round out the package. This track brings to my mind the late great Bill Perry, too soon gone. Back Door Scratchin' has a funky under tone but it's really blues with edge and again love Hatfield's vocals and Britt's guitar work. Excellent! On easy shuffle track, Behave Yourself, it's McKendree who shines instrumentally with really nice piano work and Britt's solo work had a bit more of an acoustic feel. Smarter Than I Was has a heavier rock feel , still with a blues base. I grinding rhythm and swirling guitar riffs proliferate this track. Very cool. Devil On Both Shoulders is a country rock 2 stepper led by Hambridge on drums and the slide work of Britt. Hatfield has plenty of swagger, heavy bottom by MacDonals and prominent piano work of McKendree gives this track plenty of roll. So Much, So Little has a real nice bluesy feel with Hatfeld on both lead vocal and harp. With hot drum work from Hambridge, this is one of the coolest tracks on the release. Slow blues number, Never Finished Nothin' allows Hatfield to show his soulful side and Britt throws down some absolutely excellent guitar riffs. MacDonald sets the course with a strong bass line and again McKendree's piano work is stellar. Excellent! Good Love After Bad is a cool boogie track with a sound of modern Cream with organ. Quite a nice track. Drink, Drank, Drunk has a has a super cool boogie rhythm and a great pace that keeps you moving in your seat (or more). Britt puts together an unusual guitar solo really emphasizing the country nature of the track (by juxtaposition) and the keyboard rhythm is cool. Title track, For A Change, has more of a casual "radio" feel with an easy to like melody and warmly matched instrumental accompaniment. Swamp Poker is another track with plenty of kick. An easy country feel, say like Lay Down Sally, with simple guitar riffs makes it universally appealing. McKendree really kicks the last track, Burbank's Boogie off with an incredible piano roll. Hatfield kicks it into gear sounding like a new era Little Richard. Not only vocally but pn harp, Hatfield is on fire. This is a great track to wrap up the release. Super release with a lot of something for everyone!  

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