2022 – The Harpoonist
& the Axe Murderer
By Phillip Smith; June 18, 2022
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
It’s a rare occasion where a live
album is my first experience with a band’s music, and it turns me into an
instant fan. Live at the King Eddy,
the latest release from The Harpoonist and the Axe Murder is definitely the
center point of one of those occasions. The
Harpoonist is vocalist/harp player Shawn Hall. The Axe Murderer is guitarist Matt Rogers.
The two together with vocalists Andrina
Turenne and Dawn Pemberton, along with keyboardist Geoff Hilhorst
throw down one hell of a shindig at the historical King Edward Hotel in
Calgary. That recorded performance
celebrates fifteen years of collaboration of playing the Blues, and it’s
absolutely wonderful.
“Cry a Little” trucks right on in, and gets things off to a swinging start with a funky harp-laden groove and whiskey-soaked vocals. I can’t help but gush about the swamp-water soaked “Do Whatcha”. Between the whirling sounds of Hillhorst’s organ and Hall’s guttural yelps, the song takes glamourous dips into the psychedelic realm. From their most recent studio album Apocalipstick, “Pretty Please” is a fiery, rambunctious track which transforms the revival tent into a hot and sweaty blues tent, bringing everyone to their feet. “Father’s Son”, another selection off the same studio album, is simply amazing. I love how the driving beat and funky riff takes a cliff dive into another universe. It’s certainly no “Cats in the Cradle”. That’s for sure. Rogers cranks up the heat on guitar for a cooking performance as Hall goes all-in on “Get Out” taking the blues to the brink of places I’ve never heard. This track does indeed tear the roof off the sucker.
Live at the King Eddy is an absolute eye-opener for me. The musical chemistry shared between these guys sure makes for some exquisite blues. I hope I have the opportunity to catch them live in concert one of these days, because I’m sure it would be a hell of a good time.
For
more information about this band, visit their website https://www.harpoonistaxemurderer.com/
Find this album on Bandcamp
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