I Am The Blues - Michael Packer - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, I Am The Blues , from Michael Packer and it looks at the blues from a number of different angles. This release is a mixture of dialogue and related tracks composing a musical book. Opening with a dialogue, Packer sets the stage for a New York, almost Lou Reed style approach at the blues. Uncle M is a simple country style blues with vocals and acoustic guitar. A sound of having been there along with the perfect vocal backing makes this a pretty cool track. Bad Time Jackson is more of a swing style electric track. Addition of percussion, violin and keys show a different side of Packer with a good sense of construction. I Can't Keep From Crying is one of my favorite tracks from the 70's. Packer does an updated version of this track extending the rhythm structure and giving it more of a street sound. I'm In Love has a funky night sound with a super bass line. The harp work on this track is really quite clean and the vocal harmonies ar...