#493 : 8 Ball Aitken - Ice Cream Man

 

2021 – Red Rocker Records

By Phillip Smith; April 3, 2021

 

I can’t help but be a fan of Nashville-based Aussie recording artist 8 Ball Aitken.  His unique style of blues-rock is a funky and infectious blend.  Ice Cream Man, his twelfth and latest album, was recorded in Nashville and features Buddy Guy’s Grammy Award winning producer Tom Hambridge on drums, Buddy Leach (George Thorogood and the Destroyers) on saxophone, Taya Chani on backing vocals, Dillion James Aitken (8 Ball’s brothers) on organ/keys, with 8 Ball taking on all guitars, bass, harmonica, and lead vocals.

Southern soul meets delta blues when 8 Ball leads the album off with title-track “Ice Cream Man”.  Loaded with fun, saucy double entendres, this one always puts a smile on my face.  Fueled with a Jimi Hendrix-inspired riff and a ‘Summer of Love’ vibe, 8 Ball builds an enlightening case for “Peace Love and Understanding”, by dropping notable quotes from purveyors of peace such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lennon.  “Boomerang”, a psychedelic rocker with a thunderous beat and an inescapable groove chronicles the tale of an on-again off-again relationship.  This is one cool-as-hell track which begs to be heard at a loud volume.  I love the ominous road 8 Ball wanders onto with “Hard Times and Struggle”.  He’s definitely reaching into Tom Waits and Nick Cave territory here, and it sounds great.  The fierce guitar/harmonica performance he gives on “Solitaire” is absolutely wonderful and cuts deep to the bone.

Ice Cream Man is a splendid listen from start to finish.  I highly recommend it.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.8ballaitken.com/

 

Available on Bandcamp 

 

#451 : 8 Ball Aitken - Swamp Blues 2

2020 – Red Rocker Records

 By Phillip Smith; June 27, 2020

Swamp Blues 2, the eleventh album from Nashville-based, Aussie blues-rocker 8 Ball Aitken is a fabulous listen.  Recorded at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberly, Texas, this thirteen-track all-original gem enlists an amazing crew of musicians to help put this together.  8 Ball, on guitars and vocals, is joined by drummer JJ Johnson (Tedeschi Trucks Band, John Mayer), bassist Glenn Fukunaga (Robert Plant, Dr John, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Dixie Chicks), Buddy Leach (George Thorogood & the Destroyers) on sax and keys, with Guthrie Kennard and Julie Meridian on backing vocals.

 I knew I was in for a special listen once I heard the opening song “Tremolo Rain”.  With rich Dylan-esque lyrics, 8 Ball describes an assortment of characters from the Big Easy caught in a violent electrical storm.  His spacy guitar licks delightfully pepper an ominous circular rhythm.  Rolling in like a long-forgotten song from Dire Straits, “Murderers Bar” pays a wonderful homage to a once-popular hangout for blues aficionados at the Melbourne Hotel in Brisbane.  “Chocolate, Jack Daniels, and LSD” is plumb exquisite.  Lyrics which would put a grin on John Prine’s face are paired with a steady countryfied rhythm and sweet swirling sounds of organ.  Making a guest appearance on harmonica for “Cold Shower” is Mojo Webb.  Webb, a semi-finalist in the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, pours a heaping helping of deep blues in this ode to loneliness on the road. 

 With a candid and genuine approach, 8 Ball lyrically lays it on the line with every song.  Swamp Blues 2 is masterfully crafted, and indeed a wonderful listen.     

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://8ballaitken.com