Shining Stone Records: Nuno Mindelis Featuring the Duke Robillard Band - Angels & Clowns - New Release Review

I just received a copy of the newest release from Nuno Mindelis, Angels & Clowns featuring the Duke Robillard Band and Sunny Crownover. Opening with It's All About Love, a blues laced pop track, Mindelis is nicely complimented vocally by Sunny Crownover. With simple blues riffs and a nice hook and melody, this is a track that could easily hit the airwaves hard. It's Only A Dream is a straight up rocker along the lines of a Glenn Frey track with a twist of Dire Straits. The title track, Angels & Clowns actually has the melodic sound of a Jimi Hendrix composition but as executed by Steve Winwood. Very interesting. Miss Louise has an easy going bluesy sound with a clever key solo and a well executed guitar solo as well. Hellhound has a funky jazz rhythm and some pretty strong guitar riffs laid down on a cleanly executed bed of drums (Mark Teixeira), keys (Bruce Bears) and bass(Brad Hallen). 27th Day is one of my favorite tracks having an unusual melody and instrumentation compliment. Mindelis plays clean melodic guitar runs to compliment  a really nice song. Perfect Blues has a familiar sound with riffs almost like Stevie Ray Vaughn turned inside out. Bears and Hallen really come on this track driving Mindelis into some really nice space. Instrumental Tom Plaisir features a really cool guitar lead melody. With only the simplistic of carrier notes from the band, Mindelis plays a really sweet track. On Blues In My Cabin, a standard 12 bar number, Mindelis sounds quite a bit like Clapton with smooth vocals and ringing guitar riffs. Happy Guy has a full on R&B style with a laid back JJ Cale feel. Country style picking is featured on this track showing the versatility of Mindelis' playing. Wrapping the release is instrumental jam Jazz Breakfast at Lakewest. it's a short break but demonstrates how tight thise guys can be when they want. Very cool.

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