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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label John Clifton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Clifton. Show all posts

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Rip Cat Records artist: John Clifton - In The Middle of Nowhere - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, In The Middle Of Nowhere, from John Clifton and it's quite good. Opening with the excellent, I'm Leaving You Baby, with it's firm Chicago romp style. John Clifton, former leader of MoFo Party Band, has his own gig and on lead vocal and harp, this gig is hopping. Backed by Scott Abeyta on guitar, Jake Finney on bass, Edward Fritz on drums, Bartek Szopinski on piano and John Shafer on tambourine and cowbell this band is tight. On shuffle track, If It Ain't Me, Clifton is howling on harp and his vocals are vibrant. I particularly like Szopinski's piano work and the fluid guitar soloing of Abeyta on this track. Very cool. Cool Spot In Hell is a good name for a laid back jazzy track in the middle of a hot set. Abeyta lays in some really nice lead runs and Szopinski's phrasing is terrific leading up to Clifton's own lush harp scape. Very nice. Four Years Ago is a great driving blues track with a heavy bottom. The contrast between Clifton's vocals and the bass work of Finney really adds raw tension. To really boost the mix, Clifton's relentless harp work sends this track over the top and Abeyta adds heat of his own making this one of my favorites on the release. Breaking way down on a slower blues track, So Tired I Could Cry, the band really gets a chance to wring every drop of blues from the release. Szopinski, Abeyta and Clifton each have their turn upfront and they make me sweat just listening. Wrapping the release is country fused, Honky Tonk Night Time Man with train like running rhythms by Fritz and genuine chickin pickin by Abeyta. 

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Thursday, May 31, 2018

Rip Cat records artist: John Clifton - Nightlife - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nightlife, from John Clifton and it's solid gold blues. Opening with Charlie Musselwhite's Strange Land, John Clifton on lead vocal, harp and guitar, joined by Scott Abeyta on guitar, Matt Moulton on bass, John Shafer on drums and Brian Szopinski on piano set a solid old style groove. Lee Moses' excellent soul number, Sad About It is up next and Clifton's really plays it to the hilt. The band really sits on this one making it one of my favorites on the release. Little Walter's Long As I Have You is another top track with excellent vocals, super harp and excellent guitar soloing by Abeyta. Very nice. Cool original track, Swamp Dump has a smooth Latin blues feel with a nice tandem harp/guitar melody and easy rhythm. Jump track, How About That is an excellent instrumental with a driving bass line fluid lead guitar work along the lines of Gatemouth Brown and hot harp work leading the way. Very cool. Blues rocker, No Better Time Than Now, has a cool funky bass line and stylistic harp work that propels this track nicely. Wrapping the release is Every Now And Again, a slower blues but not without a sweet guitar solo to top off a really strong release.



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