2020 – Nola Blue
By Phillip Smith; Oct. 17, 2020
Stronger Than Strong, the tenth album from Memphis-based bluesman John Nemeth, totally captivates me with its soulful songs, funky grooves, and buttery beats. Recorded at Electraphonic Recording Studios in Memphis, this feel-good album features Nemeth with his road band, The Blue Dreamers, which consists of guitarist Jon Hay, drummer Danny Banks, and bassist Matt Wilson.
Nemeth and The Blue Dreamers kick things off in a delicious and greasy fashion with “Come and Take It”. I love this kind of dirty blues. “Fountain of a Man”, immersed in that wonderful Saturday night juke joint spirit, immediately follows. With a terrific driving beat from Banks, searing guitar from Hay, and a harmonica performance from Nemeth that cuts to the bone, this song makes me smile from ear to ear. Starting from its opening twang-filled notes, I am all-in on “Throw Me in the Water”. Nemeth’s delivery reminds me so much of the great John Fogerty as he belts this one out with all the qualities of a timeless classic. Nemeth’s “Bars” is performed as pure southern soul. His keen observations and wit take on the various kinds of bars, whether found on windows, or found on street corners. His cover of Junior Parker’s “Sometimes” is pert-near hypnotic. I could soak in this groove all day long. Then for a funky finish, the record closes up shop in a wonderful Memphis-style shindig with “Sweep the Shack”. It’s an incredible party song with a huge Stax influence.
Stronger than Strong is definitely an album to take note of. It is brilliant from beginning to end.
For more information about the artist, visit this website : johnnemeth.com
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