DixieFrog Records artist: Todd Sharpville - Medication Time - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Medication Time, from Todd Sharpville, and it's a solid rocker. Opening with Walk Out In The Rain, Todd Sharpville on vocal and guitar sets a tense stage with his intense vocal and Clapton like guitar riffs. Joined by Bruce Bears on Hammond, Brad Hallen on bass and Mark Texeira on drums, this is an attention grabber of an opener. Driving track, Get Outta My Way features Doug James on Bari sax, Mark Early on tenor sax, Carl Querfurth on trombone and Doc Chanonhouse on trumpet and put to great use with a full horn delivery and a strong sax solo by Early. House Rules is a great track that's likely to get you up on your feet. With it's tight rhythm and slick guitar soloing by Sharpville, this track is super. Larry McCray joins on guitar and vocal on Brothers From Another Mother and the guy's voices actually pair up quite nicely (McCray on the left). McCray and Sharpville jam out pretty nicely for the last minute or so and James deep bari punctuation really sets it off. Bluesy ballad and title track, Medication Time really has a great feel and Sharpville's vocals carry the melody nicely, complimented by Bears on piano and Hammond. The close of this track is emotion filled with exceptional guitar riffs that are bound to perk up your senses. Raising the Texas style on blues rocker, God Loves a Loser, Sharpville shows great flair and style in blues rock style. Red Headed Woman has a lot of country influence with hot finger picking electric guitar picking and just the right amount of spunk. Wrapping the release  is soulful ballad, I Don't Need To Know Your Name again blending vocals with Larry McCray and a very nice sax solo by Early. This is a really strong release with a wide blend of great tunes.

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Dixiefrog Records artist: Popa Chubby - Emotional Gangster - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Emotional Gangster, from Popa Chubby and it's a cool, aggressive blues rocker. Opening with driving, Tonight I'm Gonna Be The Man, Popa Chubby rips on slide over a rumbling beat. With tandem vocals he sets the pace and charging drums keep the tension. A cool, bluesy melody and blues rooted slide riffs saturate the track. Solid opener.  On Morganfield's Hoochie Coochie Man, Chubby gives the blues classic his own twist, retaining the bluesy roots but interjecting just a taste or rock. With a droning bass line he never gets to fast but he does take the time to show his chops on Water's original phrasing. Very nice. Harmonica wizard Jason Ricci sits in on Save The Best For Last, a low slung shuffle with a Jimmy Reed feel. Chubby really lays on the beat giving it a pronounced lope and his vocals are prime. Ricci and Chubby trade phrases making this one of my favorites on the release. Elmore James' Dust My Broom fits into this set nicely with all of the slide and Chubby does his riffs with gusto. With that perfect tempo that makes you stomp your heel, Chubby locks, loads and fires... very cool. My choice for the radio track on the release is I'm The Dog with it's pounding boogie rhythm and great hook (I'm The Dog). Break out guitar work really kicks this one through the uprights. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Master IP (a CD only bonus track), a 6 plus minute blues jam that really seems to float. laying out some real nice riffs and soaring lead, a strong closer for a strong release. 

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Dixiefrog Records artists: Balkun Brothers - Self Titled - New release review

I just received the newest release, Balkun Brothers by the Balkun Brothers and it is raw, bluesy and rowdy. Opening with Been Drivin', the Balkun Brothers do have a driving beat and with over the top drumming by Rick Balkun, a solid guitar base and single lead lines by Steve Balkun, these guys set high expectations (think stripped down blues version of Golden Earring). I Know What Ya' Did has a boogie bottom and heavy feet along with nicely blended vocals and tidy slide playing. These guys have something here that you gotta hear! She Got It All has a real strong guitar riff that sets the stage and solid vocals with a sound like Steppenwolf had a baby with the Stripes or the Keys. Steve's guitar work is flamboyant but contained in context maintaining a hard blues line with great vocals. Control Yourself leans strongly toward contemporary 2 piece blues rock bands and has a great sound with tight vocals and essential drum and guitar riffs. Excellent! Cold Heart is a solid rocker with roots deep in the blues. With trace guitar riffs like an early Tony Iommi this track has a heaviness to it that hits home. Rick's drumming gets splashy and brings up the tension. Very nice! Pawn Shop is a serious rocker along the lines of a Don Nix track with a infectious groove. Steve hits the slide and Rick's drumming is super. Very cool! Johnny Winter's Mean Town Blues maintains much of the feel and spontaneity of Johnny's original cut. A serious blues rocker handled respectfully and with passion! The brothers grind it out making it a highly enjoyable jam. The Painkillers has a solid blues rock bottom with the drive of an early 70's band but with a much more raw and modern approach. With drum rhythms not unlike John Bonham and the unstructured guitar soloing, this band is breathing new life into the genre. Bapadubap is a cool, jazzy, funky track with it's title describing it's rhythm. With a soulful vocal lead and a rich drum pattern, this track is hard not to love. A funky, heavy lumbering track with fever laden guitar and hard hitting drums and super vocals. Basic blues track, Jail Bird, has raspy vocals and prime Muddy Waters style guitar riffs. Addition of piano by Dave Keys adds a Paul Raymond flavor and Steve really hits the slide on the money. One of my release favorites! Storm For The Devil is a blues based rocker with fullness unexpected of a two piecer. Steve's slide style is unique and fat and Rick's drumming is concise and heavy. Great combination. Wrapping the release is Rainy Day Front Porch Blues a primitive blues with foot stomp and resonator. This is a deep blues track and perfect to close a strong contender in today's modern blues resurrection.



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