I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strange Time Blues, by HowellDevine, and it's a laid back folk blues set. Opening with Mississippi Fred McDowell's East St. Louis Blues, Joshua Howell on vocal, guitars and harmonica is front and center, backed by Pete Devine on drums and washboard and Joe Kyle, Jr. on bass. I really like the vibe of Devine original, Smoke, with hit's hill country structure and especially his harmonica energy. Very cool. Fundamental remake of Blind Boy Fuller's Untrue Blues with it's easy, finger picking style and prominent bass thump by Kyle. Who doesn't love RL Burnside's Long Haired Doney and it's boogie feel. Howell has most of it on vocal and guitar but Kyle and Devine really anchor it down tight. Morganfields' Long Distance Call sits nicely in his original groove with soulful vocals by Howell, and tight drum rhythm by Devine staying close with loose slide work by Howell expanding on Water's own style and some slick, aggressive bass playing by Kyle. Very cool. Band original, Strange Time Meltdown is a somewhat funky groove with a plucky bass line and nice drum line setting the pace for a cool jam by Howell on electric guitar... slowly pulling apart into nothingness. Possibly my favorite on the release. Wrapping the release is Rev Robert Wilkins' That's No Way To Get Along. Devine gets the Duolian rocking nicely and his smooth vocals deliver the word over light snare work and a stead pluck by Kyle. This is a cool release of acoustic blues focused around some prime acoustic playing. Solid.
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