Dave Fields - Unleashed - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unleashed, from Dave Fields and it's over the top! I've had the opportunity to review a few of Dave Fields' releases and each one gets progressively more aggressive and wild... and that's good. Opening with Anticipating You, Fields is surrounded with a great crew of musicians including Kenny Soule on drums, Erik Boyd on bass, Vladimir Barsky on keys and Doug Hinrichs on percussion. This is a super rolling jazz number and one that really showcases Boyds' bass style and Fields fluidity on outrageous riffs. Excellent opener. On Don Nix's Going Down Fields, Sam Bryant on drums and Andy Huenerberg on bass crack open Jeff Beck's mix on this track and wind it up. Throwing every guitar riff know to man at it, this track kicks ass in contemporary style. My Mama's Got The Blues has a cool swagger and cutting guitar riffs under the lead vocal and melody. Backed by Boyd on bass and JT Lauritsen on harp, Fields pulls out his slide and scorches it. The Boy Wants To Play is a cool Jeff Beck like track with encouraging lyrics and smoking hot riffs. This track is constructed specifically to allow the showcase of Fields on guitar and it definitely does that. Very nice. Jagged Line is a cool rocker with a heavy bottom. Barsky's key work feels like Jon Lord or Rick Wakeman giving the track a rocky/progressive feel. With soaring guitar work and firm bass work by Chris Tristram, this track is heavy. With fully saturated guitar tones and a SRV swagger, Fields turns up the heat on Better Be Good. Blending and bending riffs with whammy bends and hammer ons, this track is a smokin rocker.  Pocket Full Of Dust heads head on down the slow blues highway with guns blazing. Fields does most everything that anyone can do on guitar and does it in his own way. Want to hear a modern day guitar slinger do his thing...this is it! Rolling into Hendrix territory, Fields airs out Hey Joe. Retaining enough Jimi phrasing to put it in your mind but showing enough originality to make it his own, this track has new life as opposed to a rehash of the same old thing. Fields has great chops and terrific technique. Very cool. New York City Nights is a light jazz fused radio track featuring Fields on lead vocal and bright jazzy guitar riffs. this is an ideal radio track that also retains instrumental integrity. Very nice. Wrapping the release is L.E. S. Hoedown. This is a hyperwarp guitar instrumental demonstrating Fields ultimate finger picking work. Chased by Boyd and Moore the entire way and featuring Barsky on keys, this track is an excellent closer.

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9 Below Productions artist: the Hound Kings - Unleashed - New Release Review

I just received the debut release, Unleashed, from the Hound Kings and I gotta say it's really super! The Hound Kings are carving their own niche in the blues world and seems like they have it all to themselves. They are presenting a fresh look at traditional style blues tracks. Opening with SSI Blues, Alabama Mike leads the way with clear natural vocals accompanied by Anthony Paule on acoustic slide and Scott Brenton on harp. These guys have taken a familiar pattern (Can't Be Satisfied) and created a brand new track worthy to hold it's own as a new track.I really like it. Drunk Honey Bee is up next and a really cool track. Each of the players are really perfect on their respective parts. Another Morganfield styled track, this is another really great song. I will say that I really prefer the originality of players who take roots of music and build something original (when it's done as nicely as it's done here) to a cover of the original in most cases. This sounds very fresh. Come Go Home With Me actually has sounds of Rolling Stones to it but yet done in a primitive blues style... very nice. The Real McCoy has a bit more of a contemporary sound but still with simple acoustic accompaniment and harp. Don't Drag My Love Down is a really cool blues track with a pop edge. It puts me in mind of one of my acoustic rock favorites, Jonathan Edwards. Again, the band is tight and nothing is wasted. Recession Blues could be right from the Robert Johnson song book with the perfect melody and turn. Brenton plays really well over the vocals and Paule knows just how to keep the guitar rhythm on track. The Thang has a lot of the feel of Van Morrison. You may say that it's a stretch but that's what I hear. This is a very strong bluesy ballad. You Got Issues is a really nice R&B style track which really highlights Alabama Mikes vocals. You Gotta Move, the Fred McDowell and Gary Davis track is given a facelift and much closer to the original than to later covers. It has a nice Piedmont pace and Paule blows a cool solo on the track. Really nice and worthwhile cover. Finishing up with Mercy Dee Walton's Red Light, this is a track that would be well suited for Little Richard or Hound Dog Taylor. This is a great conclusion to this really super recording in a strong blues rocker fashion. Brenton has an other opportunity to play out his harp and does a really nice job. I know that I haven't done this recording justice because I really like it but can't really describe to any degree how good it is. If you like hot acoustic blues...this may be the cd of the year!

  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” I couldn't find any current video so this will have to do. This is a band to see!