OFEH Records artist: Blind Lemon Pledge - Evangeline - New release Review

I just received the newest release, Evangeline, from Blind Lemon Pledge and it is cool and quirky. First I've got to say, I really dig his name and sense of humor. Opening with work farm track Buley's Farm, I really think this track is cool and like nothing I have heard recently (except of a Taj Mahal release, Mulebone I think). Featuring solo vocal lead by BLP and backed by the Mississippi State Prison Farm Jubilee Singers and just a stripped down acoustic slide part, this track is about as spartan as they get. Very cool! Next up is Jennie Bell, an acoustic ballad in the flavor of early Bob Dylan. Brimstone Joe is a cleverly constructed ballad with a really nice melody. Breaking the basis of the track and expanding into a ragtime track with Hugh Jorgan on keys and Isaac Izzy Cumming on drums. Midnight Assignation is really a stripped down rocker like a New York poet. With some simple but fluid slide riffs this track is a nice contrast to the balance of the release. Go Jump The Willie is a cool rockabilly track with light jazzy guitar lead behind the vocal harmonies. On The Language Of Love, BLP takes a Latin turn Alvin "Albee" Bakatcha rides tight on percussion. Alex Blaine-Laydor, Lauralyn Hardy, Willie B Hardigan, Don Menchinet, Anita Moorehead and Bess T Wishes add harmony vocals (yeah, look at the names a couple of times...you'll get it!). Ham and Eggs is an easy going pop track that could have been constructed in the early part of the 20th century. Blind Lemon is having fun and if you let yourself go, you will too. How Can I Still Love You has an easy jazzy blues feel with Gene Poole on bass and Cummings on drums. A second simple pop track, You Had Me At Goodbye, has a nice melody and a solid hook. Title track, Evangeline, is a simple blues with sliding cigar box accompaniment. One of the most pleasing tracks on the release and a nice closer.

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