Scott Weis Band - Simmer Me Down - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Simmer Me Down, by Scott Weis Band and it's a great blues rocker. Opening with Pride And Soul, a strong foot stomper with country and gospel influences, SWB sounds great. With Weis on lead vocal and guitar and Cindy Mizelle on backing vocals this track is smoking. Backed by Robert Kopee on bass, Roger Voss on drums and John Ginty on keys this track is tight. All Over Again is a great blues track with a bouncy beat but lots of grit. Weis' guitar playing isn't highly technical but it is high octane and emotional. Excellent track. Issac Hayes' soul track, When Something Is Wrong With My Baby gets just a little more blues heat giving Weis a great venue to solo on guitar  and his style and emotion is terrific. Saved is a super blues rocker with loose guitar work that works really nicely over a complex drum and percussion (Bashiri Johnson) work. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Transcendence has more of a jam framework along the lines of an eastern pattern and Allman or Trucks execution. Strong closer for a really nice release. 

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Solid Blues Records artist: JW-Jones - Sonic Departures - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sonic Departures, from JW-Jones and it hits solid on the radio track styling with great guitar soloing. Opening with Blue Jean Jacket, a pop rocker with a shuffle beat, JW-Jones is up front with solid vocals and joined by Jesse Whiteley on keys, Will Lauin on drums, Jacob Clarke on bass Brendan Cassidy, Jim John, Daniel Koelsch and Rolf Rogde on sax, Scott McGonigal, Rob Williams, Rob Mee and Rob Scott on trombone, and Bob Clegg, Noel Methven, Jim Shea and Brad Harrison on trumpet. Jones does a funky overlay on classic blues number, Drowning on Dry Land and I like it. Whiteley's organ work, along with the tight rhythm work of Laurin really make this track move. Jones stabs in some real nice guitar riffs, working really well with sax and trumpet accents. Very cool! Big swing track, It's Obdacious has great feel and dynamics with harmonies by Brit Wynne-Jones. Jeff Pighin really wails on sax on this one giving it a great kick. On Guitar Slim's, The Things That I Used To Do, Jones maintains Slims original trademark guitar riffs which give it great presence and his own twists, with the addition of sax and trumpet which work really nicely. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Wrapping the release is rock shuffle, When It All Comes Down with Jones' solid lead vocals and warm sax work maintaining the balance. His lead guitar work on the track is concise and well blended making this a solid closer for a solid release. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Crooked Eye Tommy - Hot Coffee and Pain - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hot Coffee and Pain, from Crooked Eye Tommy and I think it's a kicker. Opening with Son House's Death Letter Blues Crooked Eye Tommy opens this release with all of the attitude of Ronnie Van Zant in 1973 (think... I Ain't The One). With Tommy Marsh on lead vocal and guitar and paired with Paddy Marsh on guitar, Samuel Corea on bass, Charlie McClure on drums and Jimmy Calire on keys, this track has real swagger! Paddy takes the mic on Sittin in a Driveway, and it's a scorcher. Nicely paced with a great blues feel, one of my favorites on the release. Another standout track is Baby Where You Been pairing Tommy with Teresa James on lead vocal. This is a great R&B flavored track with strong sax work by Craig Williams. Contemporary blues rocker, Time It Takes To Live has a real strong melody and pairs Tommy and Paddy on guitar and vocal for an appealing radio track. Moving even further into the southern blues rock vein but with a hard pinch of jazz, The Big House seems a tribute to the Allmans. An instrumental track with strong lead guitar work and warm, rich organ by Calire, this is sure to be a crowd favorite. Wrapping the release is another of my favorites, horn flavored Congo Square with it's heavy rhythms and to my ear, African horn lines. This track really moves and with excellent sax work by Williams, hot drum work by McClure and hot guitar riffs, an excellent closer.

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Mark & Jill Sing The Blues - Live at Caffe Lena - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at Caffe Lena, from Mark (Tolstrup) and Jill (Burnham) and it's a solid dose of old school blues. Opening with Come Here Baby, Mark on vocal and guitar, Jill on vocal and complimented nicely by Frank Orsini on fiddle and backing vocal, you feel the ambiance of a small club in America nearly a century ago. Mark's slide and acoustic guitar playing is cool and Frank's fiddle playing tight. One of my favorites on the release is Elmore James track, Held My Baby. Lead vocal and nicely articulated slide guitar work by Mark, with Orsini taking a nice fiddle solo and lead vocals by Jill really gives this track a great feel. One of the tracks that really stands out for me is What You Gonna Do? with it's gospel roots. The vocal blending of Mark and Jill is solid and with Orsini on fiddle and nice guitar work by Mark, just really works. Wrapping the release is Blind Willie Johnson's Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning with it's gospel feel. With Mark leading the way and rich counter lead by Jill over the firm acoustic guitar work on Mark, this is a fine closer for a cool release.

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Wayne Nicholson & John Campbelljohn - Elmore's Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Elmore's Blues, from Wayne Nicholson & John Campbelljohn and it's a tight blues rock package. Opening with I May Be Wrong, a cool blues rocker, Nicholson has the mic with strong partnership with Campbelljohn on guitar, Bruce Dixon on bass, Neil Robertson on drums, Barry Cooke on piano and Kim Dunn on organ. Cool opener. On Elmore James classic, Standing at the Crossroads, Campbelljohn really digs in with his slide giving this track a great feel. If I Was Blue is a cool, original, bluesy, ballad showcasing Nicholson's vocals and showing a more bluesy side of Campbelljohn's guitar style. No Love In My Heart has a great Latin flavor with snappy percussion work from Robertson and great swing work by Campbelljohn. Another Elmore James track, Sinful Woman is one of my favorites on the release with just the right pace and nicely formed guitar runs. Shake Your Money Maker is a classic Elmore James song a lot of spring and trademark slide riffs by Campbelljohn and solos by Dixon and Robertson. Very cool. Strange Kinda Feeling stands out with Campbelljohn soloing on lap steel and a hot rockin' beat. Wrapping the release is Dancin' With The Blues, a cool shuffle track with a solid blues framework. This is a cool release with great lead vocal by Nicholson and showcasing the guitar work of Campbelljohn. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: The Lucky Losers - Godless Land - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Godless Land, from the Lucky Losers and I think it's their best effort so far. Opening with R&B track, Half a Nothing, Cathy (Lemons) and Phil (Berkowitz) are back at it but this time with a different spin. With nicely placed harmonica by Phil and joined by Ian Lamson on guitars, Chris Burns on keys, Endre Tarczy on bass and DMar on drums, this is a super opener. Dr John composition, Be You has real radio appeal with a great melody and vocals , a solid rhythm and a strong rhythm. My favorite track on the release is Lemons' composition, My One Good Eye with some of Lemon's best vocal work, cool slide work by Lamson, nicely inserted harmonica phrasing by Phil and with the addition of Kid Andersen on mellotron and percussion. Very cool. Rich horn work by Michael Peloquin (sax) and Mike Rose (trumpet) sets a solid stage for Phil on lead vocals on bluesy ballad, The Good Fight. Wrapping the release is country western flavored, The Ragged Heart, with it's understated yet effective backing under Lemons' vocals. Nicely blended backing vocals and harmonica work by Phil and cool, faraway guitar wailing adds tension to the track. Cool closer.



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VizzTone Label Group artist: JD Taylor - The Coldwater Sessions - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Coldwater Sessions,  from JD Taylor and I really like it. Opening with shuffle track, Got Me Where You Want Me, JD Taylor on lead vocal and harmonica teams up with Jon Hay on guitar for a super opener. Joined by Landon Stone on guitar, Matthew Wilson on bass Danny Banks on drums, Rev. Charles Hodges on B3 and Tierini Jackson and Tikyra Khamiir Jackson on backing vocal, strong start. R&B track, Nothing Left To Say is definitely one of my favorites with super vocals, the addition of Marc Franklin on trumpet, Art Edmaiston on sax,  and strong R&B guitar lines. Excellent! I think that Taylor's best vocal showcase is on At First Glance with the warm backing of Franklin and Edmaiston performing an excellent soul track, topped off with melodic blues harmonica. Really nice! Funky, If It Ain't Good, has a really cool driving bass line by Wilson and punchy horns by Franklin. John Holiday really adds nicely with great bluesy guitar lead on this one. Harmonica boogie, Hanging On has great pace and Jon Hay's guitar work adds just the right amount of sting. Wrapping the release is hot swing number, The Coldwater Swing with Zack Lees and Jon Hays winding it out on guitar and Taylor on harmonica over a great rhythm of Hodges, Banks and Wilson. Excellent closer!

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Checkerboard Lounge Recordings artist: John Fusco and the X-Road Riders - John The Revelator - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, John The Revelator, from John Fusco and the X-Road Riders and it's an interesting mix of country folk blues. Opening with traditional blues track, and title track, John The Revelator, with a modern yet raw spin. With leader Fusco on lead vocal and keys, Cody Dickinson on drums, bass and dobro, Risse Norman on vocal and Sarah Morrow on trombone, a solid opener. Shuffle track, Bone Deep opens up with a bit more rock, featuring Magic Mark Lavoie on harp, Dickinson on guitar and some cool Hammond work from Fusco. Ophelia (Oh, I Feel Ya) is one of my favorite tracks on the release. A curious little ballad mostly Fusco on lead vocal, accompanying himself on keys. A radio designed track that could easily be Harry Nilsson or Randy Newman. Very nice. Slow Blues, Bad Dog, showcases some of Fusco's best vocals on the release with Dennis Diego laying down a solid bass line and Spencer Perry on drums. Lavoie's soulful harmonica lead on this track, complimented with firm guitar lead by Kurt Pierson makes this another standout track. A track with a lot of radio appeal is Jacqueline with it's top melody, hip hop delivery and smooth lead guitar. Another of my favorites is Hottest Part Of The Flame with it's Latin rhythm. This track has a seductive feel with lush vocals, and terrific interweaving of horn work by Baby J, Josh Klinger, Dan Alario,  and really nice slide work by Dickinson. Wrapping the release is The Sun Also Rises, another track with radio appeal and a strong melody. Vocal lead and piano accompanied, with clean guitar lead under the melody and rich backing vocals by Brickett Bailey, Cassandra Machia, Julia Simons and Rosalie Wasser. 

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Mandalyn - Wrecked - New release review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wrecked, from Mandalyn and it's powerful and soulful. Opening with bluesy ballad and title track, Wrecked, Mandalyn wastes no time in showing that she's got plenty of horsepower vocally. Backed by Tony TC Coleman on drums, Bart Walker on guitar, Brian Allen on bass and Frank Ray Jr. on keys, this is a strong opener. Funky blue classic, Feel Like Breakin' Up Somebody's Home, has great pace and swagger. Mandalyn sounds like she could get the job done and with slashing riffs by Walker, excellent bass lines by Allen and with the addition of Varney Green on trombone, Joshua Harner on trumpet and Mickey Guitierrez on sax, this is a hot track. Wrapping the release is Lieber and Stoller's classic ballad, I Who Have Nothing. Mandalyn's vocals are clear and powerful, with a solid bottom and piano work by Ray and with the addition of Walker on banjo. Solid closer.  

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American Showplace Music artist: Hurricane Ruth -Good Life - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good Life, from Hurricane Ruth and it's a charging blues rocker. Opening with driving, Like Wildfire, Ruth La Master is upfront and on fire with her dominant vocal style, backed by Scot Holt on guitar, Calvin Johnson on bass, Bruce Katz on B3 and Tony Braunagel on drums. Good Life is a slower ballad with deep soulful roots. Katz's B3 work on this track adds real depth and I love Holt's guitar phrasing punctuating the track nicely. Kicking in the rock bottom, Ruth shows her rocking edge with some of her grittiest vocals on the release. My favorite track on the release, Late Night Red Wine has a super traditional rock beat with a solid melody. Holt steps up with a stinging guitar solo with a blues edge and Katz's organ work pulls it all together. Very cool. Wrapping the release is ballad, I've Got Your Back, with Ruth bringing on her sensitive soul vocals. Nicely balanced with Katz on piano and organ this is a real nice closer for a solid release. 

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Mescal Canyon Records artist: Wily Bo Walker & Danny Flam - Ain't No Man A Good Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ain't No Man A Good Man, from Wily Bo Walker & Danny Flam and it's a cool mix of rock, R&B and soul. Opening with title track, Ain't No Man A Good Man, Wily Bo Walker on lead vocal and guitar is upfront and wailing. His vocals are raw and his guitar lead bluesy. Backed by Danny Flam on trombone, trumpet, sousaphone, Hammond and vocal this is a cool opener. Did I Forget, has a real nice 60's R&B swing with sax and trumpet reeling. Cool sax work by Ron Bertolet and solid trumpet work by Flam really caps the track. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Velvet Windows (Treme Trippin') has a great New Orleans funky feel with tight trumpet and Hammond work, with great bari sax work giving it a terrific woven mix. Ain't Hungry No More is another really cool track with it's reggae beat and super trumpet accents, snappy snare drum, and guitar lead. Blues shuffle, Time to Forget You has nice flow with horn backing and great vocal work with Walker on lead and The Brown Sisters of Chicago Gospel Choir in harmony. Walker takes a real nice guitar solo on this one giving it a cool edge. Wrapping the release is a lumbering, bottom heavy, rock track, Build My Gallows... (Ain't No Return) with strong lead vocals by Walker and warm backing by The Brown Sisters, great keys, rumbling bass, punchy horns and fat bari sax. Super closer for a solid release. 

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FMI Records artist: Dave Fields - Force of Will - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Force of Will, from Dave Fields and it's quite good. Opening with modern boogie, I Love My Baby, multi instrumentalist Fields on vocal and guitar (among other things) is joined by Bill Ferns on harp. A solid melody and rhythm and always tight vocals make this opener a natural radio track. Big Block is a hard driving blues rocker with tight drum beat by Van Romaine and metal influenced blues guitar riffs that will curl your hair. Very cool. Hunger is a bit more of an abstract rocker with a solid foundation and Jeff Beck influenced guitar riffs with Buddy Allen on bass and Lee Jeffryes on drums. Very nice. Straightforward blues ballad, Why Can't You Ever Treat Me Right is really strong with excellent modern blues soloing by Fields and excellent vocals. Joined by Bjorn Hagset on bass and Kare Andersen on drums, this is my favorite blues track on the release. Another solid blues ballad, It's Not Ok with Fields on lead vocal and and soaring guitar lead, demonstrates real crowd appeal while capturing the guitar crowd with low fretboard work and excellent dynamics. Chloe & Otis is a cool funky jazz based number based on a Steely Dan format. You like Becker and Fagen, you'll love this with Vlad Barsky on keys, Buddy Allen on bass, Kenny Soule on drums and Fields working lead vocal, guitar and keys. Very nice. You want wide open guitar work.... Delmar is it. Distortion, divebombs and tapping... excellent! Another track that really gets my attention is Jack Ham Her with an excellent bottom from Boyd and Romaine and just guitar instrumental. Fields could do an entire release of this style work for me and I'd be happy but I love the all out guitar exploration stuff. This is terrific! Wrapping the release is Best I Can, a radio rocker in the Free/Paul Rogers vein, with a solid melody and heavy bottom. Fields on lead vocal and keys over Soule on snappy drumming and tightly knit in guitar work makes this a strong closer. 

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Echo Decco Recordings artist: Eddie 9Volt - Way Down The Alley - Live at Blind Willies - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Way Down The Alley - Live at Blind Willies, from Eddie 9Volt and it's packed with live, authentic blues. Opening with 36th & Main Eddie continues where he left off on his studio opener with great blues delivery. Joined by Lane Kelly on bass, Colin Dean on drums, Jackson Allen on harmonica and Chad Mason on piano, this is a super opener. On a lumbering, Look Over Yonder Wall, Eddie has a unique vocal style that I like and excellent guitar lead inserts. Mason takes the first extended lead on piano and Allen gets a nice opening as well. On slow blues, Bottle And The Blues, Eddie takes the intro with his beautifully phrased lead work and Mason's piano creates the scene. With very nice call and response with his on vocal and lead guitar, Eddie shows you why he's one of the new hot guns to watch. His soloing is gripping and clean but not over played. Very nice. With a low slung pace, Cod's Song is one of my favorites on the release with a strong piano solo, Eddie 9V on slide and a super solo by Jackson on harp. Very nice. Catfish Blues is another strong entry following Mud's original format and solid instrumental interplay in the band under Eddie's vocal lead. Allen works the crowd with solid blues riffs on his harp fueling Eddie with his Water's styled guitar riffs. Wrapping the release is Got My Mojo Working with excellent pace with the entire band pushing hard. Jackson really works his harp and Eddie smokes the fretboard over the power bottom of Mason, Kelly and Dean. Strong closer for another strong release from Eddie 9V. 

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CD Woodbury - World's Gone Crazy - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, World's Gone Crazy, from CD Woodbury, and it's rich with vocal harmonies, blues rock sounds. Opening with Follow The River Home, a solid southern blues rock track with a great vocal blended intro, CD Woodbury is off to a terrific start. With Don Montana on drums and lead vocal, Patrick Mc Danel on bass and backing vocal and Mike Maring on keys and backing vocal, Woodbury on lead vocal and guitar rounds out this tight unit. I Didn't Know is a driving rocker with a hot bottom and features some screaming sax by Maring. Emerald City Blues is a strong blues ballad with a solid melody and ripping lead guitar making it a certain crowd favorite. South Of South Hill is a real nice jam rocker with intricate drum beats and a classic blues guitar riff. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Eat That Stuff No More a clever shuffle with casual vocal and nicely crafted rhythms. Willie Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle gets a hi energy boogie beat with driving guitar and bass. Woodbury and Maring each take cool solos capping off a gritty blues track. Great remake. Hendrix's Hey Joe also gets a bluesy cover here with Maring and Woodbury each getting nice whacks at the solo apple. This is a real nice track second only to the original and possibly Roy Buchanan's cover and that's saying something. Wrapping the release is Preacher and the President , a cool blues rocker with a grinding guitar rhythm, organ richness and percussive vocals. Maring takes a cool solo on organ and Woodbury on guitar leaving you wanting more. 

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Cary Morin - Dockside Saints - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dockside Saints, form Cary Morin and it's a cool blend of rhythms, pop and blues. Opening with ultra funky, Nobody Gotta Know, with it's New Orleans, flavor and mixes, Morin on guitars and vocals has terrific support from Lee Allen Zeno on bass, Brian Brignac on drums, Corey Ledet on accordion, Eric Adcock on piano and B3, Beau Thomas on fiddle, Celeste Di lorio on harmony vocals and Keith Blair and John Fohl on guitars, this is a terrific opener. Ballad, Exception To The Rule, has a strong melody and solid vocal blending. Morin's acoustic work balanced with Adcock's B3 makes for the top radio track for the release. Very nice.  High energy, Jamie Rae, has a cool accordion richness over it's tight drum rhythm and cool vocal harmonies. Another great track. I really like instrumental, Bare Trees with it's feeling of peace and solitude created by accordion, acoustic guitar, fiddle and nicely placed drum. Excellent! Instrumental. Cary's Groove starts off with simple acoustic guitar, drums and accordion, building throughout the track adding piano, bass, and electric guitar, turning into quite a jam. Rocker, Come The Rain is a strong closer with firm vocals, a tight drum beat and nicely styled steel guitar work. I think this is the best of Morin so far and I think a really solid release. 

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Cleopatra Blues artist: Joe Louis Walker - Blues Comin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Comin' On from Joe Louis Walker and it's a fireplug. Opening with rocker, Feed The Poor, a funky blues rocker, Walker on lead vocal and Jorma on lead guitar, John Bradford on bass, Dorian Randolph on drums, Juma Sultan on percussion and Bruce Katz. This track is heavy. Super backing vocals by Bradford, and Randolph almost give it a Daryl Hall edge. Cool opener. R&B track, Someday, Someway is certainly one of my favorites on the release with Carla Cooke at the mic. Her vocals are terrific and with Walker on backing vocal and guitar and joined by Lee Oskar and his classic harp tone, Eric Finland on keys, Bradford on bass and Randolph on drums. Excellent! Easy shuffle, Old Time Used To Be has Walker on 12 string and vocal, with Joh Sebastian on harp and  Keb Mo on slide. Katz has a real nice piano solo on this one and adds an overall bright feel to the track. Swampy Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man has a real nice groove with Walker on super lead vocal and guitar with Rick Estrin on harp and Waddy Wachtel on lead guitar. Funky, Uptown to Harlem is a cool James Brown boogaloo style track  with Jellybean Johnson on lead guitar and Eric Finland on organ. Wrapping the release is Arthur Lee's rad rocker, 7&7 is with Arlen Roth on lead guitar. With full reverb and sixties style guitar lead over some ferocious drumming by Randolph, this is a solid closer for a totally enjoyable release.

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The Last Music Company artist: Bill Kirchen - The Proper Years - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Proper Years, from Bill Kirchen and it's strong. I'm certain that most readers know Bill but if not, he was the guitar fingers of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. That being known, you can expect that deep throaty telecaster guitar sound and rich country roots. Opening with Hammer of the Honky-Tonk  Gods, a swangin' country rocker with Kirchen on lead guitar and vocal, backed by Nick Lowe on bass, Geraint Watkins on bass, Austin de Lone on keys, Robert Trehorne on drums, Danny Levin on fiddle and Cindy Cashdoller and David Berzansky on steel guitar. Great opener. Working Man is a cool, country flavored track with solid 2 stepping beat. With great lead vocal and a really great bass background vocal among the others, this track is a standout. Remake of 60's pop hit, Devil In A Blue Dress, has a real bluesy feel with solid backing vocals by Sarah Carroll. Trish Anderson and Suzannah Espie. Kirchen puts on his best R&B vocal and slinky blues riffs. Acoustic rag, One More Day has a great light feel with stellar acoustic guitar riffs and fiddle (by Danny Levin). Excellent! A grungy rocker, Man in the Bottom of the Well features Elvis Costello and some really gritty guitar playing by Kirchen. This song is terrific! Commander Cody joins on I Don't Work That Cheap which is another terrific track with hints of Dylan and the Lost Planet Airmen. Very nice. On Disc 2, Kircher teams up with fleet fingered Dan Hicks on Word To The Wise. Cool lyrics, a great upbeat tempo and of course strong acoustic guitar riffs make for a great side 2 opener. Contemporary blues vocal legend, Maria Muldaur teams up with Kirchen on shuffle, Ain't Got No Time For the Blues. Breaking back to pure country and western on Tell Me The Reason. The is a great track with Kirchen on lead guitar and vocal, Jack O'Dell on drums and Paul Riley on bass and featuring Austin de Lone on piano. Really nice! Truck Stop At The End Of The World is a solid trucker song with classic Kirchen guitar riffs and a driving rock beat. Another classic and one from the Commander Cody songbook, Hot Rod Lincoln has great tempo and of course clever lyrics that accentuate the guitar riffs by Kirchen. Kirchen goes on to run classic country, Americana and rock riffs from the past. Cool flashback through music time. Country rocker, Oxblood has a really great feel with Butch Hancock on vocal with Kirchen who plays baritone guitar on this one. Balancing out the band is Gurf Morlix on guitar, David Carroll on bass, Rick Richards on drums and Austin de Lone on piano. Wrapping the release is Dylan's classic, The Times They Are A-Changin'. This is a complete album with few stones unturned. Well rounded with rock, Americana, blues and country, a lot of something for everyone.

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