#521 : Altered Five Blues Band - Holler If You Hear Me

2021 – Blind Pig Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 9, 2021

Those sensational blues-masters of Milwaukee Altered Five Blues Band has added another piping hot release to their catalog with Holler if You Hear Me.  Clocking in as their sixth album, the energy of the band runs high, and is magnificently captured within this Tom Hambridge-produced recording.  The powerful and soulful voice of front-man Jeff Taylor sounds so good backed by this tight-as-hell band consisting of guitarist Jeff Schroedl, bassist Mark Solveson, keyboardist Raymond Tevich, and drummer Alan Arber.  Special guest Jason Ricci is the icing on the cake, with his harmonica accompaniment on five of the thirteen tracks.  This is absolutely a winning combination. 

I am in love with the album from the moment “Holler If You Hear Me” breaks out of the gate.  The rhythm barrels through like a locomotive as we get a solid dose of Tevich’s hot ivory stylings topped with searing blasts of Ricci’s harmonica.  The party pushes forward as Taylor lets loose on his anthem of after-hours debauchery in “Guilty of a Good Time”.   Schroedl’s guitar solo absolutely sizzles as the rhythm fiercely latches on.  Harp-a-blazing, Ricci gives a flawless performance as he goes toe-to-toe with Arber’s furious beat on “If You Go Away (She Might Come Back)”.  A dash of swamp water is sprinkled atop “I Got All I Need”.  This delightful bowl of slow-simmered blues heats up to a boil, licked by the red-hot flames rolling off Schroedl’s guitar.  It’s absolutely wonderful.  The record comes to its close with “Big Shout Out”, a sort of blues version of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”.  This upbeat roll-call honors the blues artists of the past who’ve paved the way for those who play the blues today, and is a splendid song to end the album with.      

Holler If You Hear Me is as solid as an album can get.  It’s one hundred percent straight-up blues, delivered on a silver platter.    

---

   

 

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

 

 

Altered Five Blues Band "If You Go Away (She Might Come Back)" [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

 

#457 : Mark May Band - Deep Dark Demon

 

2020 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; August 8, 2020

 

Deep Dark Demon, the seventh release from Mark May Band is a power-packed album of blues-rock featuring interesting original songs, soulful vocals and fierce guitar performances.  May, who cut his teeth in the Houston, Texas area playing biker bars and blues clubs for over twenty years, was also a member of Dickey Bett’s band for a while.  Killing it on lead vocals and lead guitar, he secures the front-man role of the band, which is also comprised of Billy Wells on vocals and rhythm guitar, Darrell Lacy on bass guitar, Brandon Jackson on drums for seven tracks, Geronimo Calderon on drums for four tracks, Barry Seelen on B3 for seven tracks, Shawn Allen on B3 for four tracks, and Al Pagliuso on percussion.  

The record rolls in a with “Harvey’s Dirty Side”, which boasts a heavy Allman Brothers meets Lenny Kravitz vibe.  Seelen’s beefy B3 riffs add a serious backup to May’s tantalizing guitar licks and mesmerizing style.  The relaxed pace on “BBQ and Blues” sets a perfect mood for a backyard cook-out abundantly stocked with coolers of ice-cold beer.  May bestows a Santana-esque flavor in”Back”.  This Latin-infused blues-rocker is an amazing listen.  May’s guitar prowess shines brightly on this masterpiece.

With Deep Dark Demon being recorded on Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records label, it’s a pleasure to hear Zito himself ripping it up on the title-track.  This slow-cooked number definitely brings the blues back home in style.  I love the dual lead guitar intro on “My Last Ride”.  May’s reflective lyrics and a driving rhythm are tremendous bookends for his stunning guitar-play.  The icing on the cake, “Invisible Man” brings the album to a fabulous close with a big bodacious bowl of eighties-style funk.  Although May’s soulful and debonair voice takes the front seat, I absolutely dig his use of the talk box on this track. 

Deep Dark Demon, satisfies on many levels.  It’s a terrific album through and through.       

---          

For more information about the artist, visit this website : markmay.com

 

 

#343 : Brother Dege - Farmer's Almanac

2018 – Psyouthern.Records

Release Date: June 1, 2018

By Phillip Smith; July 21, 2018

Farmer’s Almanac, the fourth full-length album from Louisiana native, Brother Dege Legg, is somewhat of a masterpiece.  Its eleven original tracks are slathered with attention-grabbing slide guitar, and razor-sharp lyrics.  Backing Brother Dege is The Bretheren, comprised of Kent Beatty on bass, and drummers Greg Travasos and Doug Belote.   

A surge of excitement traverses through “Country Come to Town”.  Dege’s magnificent finger picking shines while Travasos provides a steady heartbeat-like pulse.  Layers of instrumentation provide an enhanced sense of depth in “The Shakedown”.  The country blues slide and backdrop of dual drums makes this an amazing listen.      

The stories Legg tells with his songs are fantastic.  Outlaw blues ballad “Bastards Blues” is tension-filled and swampy.  Guest drummers Hawley Joe Gary (Spank the Monkey) and Eric Heigle (The Lost Bayou Ramblers) join drummer Doug Belote to help create the ominous atmosphere the song resides in.  Tightly woven prose and a beautiful hypnotic rhythm keep “The Moon & the Scarecrow” gingerly afloat as it softly builds to its climatic peak.    

The album is book-ended by a pair of Pink Floyd-esque instrumentals, “Partial to the Bitters” and “Partial to the Bitters Pt. 2”.   The later, a bit more infused with twang, sounds just as brilliant, nonetheless.  Farmer’s Almanac receives my highest possible recommendation.  It’s that great. 

 ---

The Knast - Reckless Soul

2017 – Madlad Music

By Phillip Smith; July 9, 2017

I’m totally smitten by the new album, Reckless Soul from the Seattle foursome called The Knast. Their music, packed with catchy lush grooves inspired by the British Invasion and the counter-culture movement of the Sixties, makes for an outstanding listen.  Making up the band, are lead vocalist/guitarist AJ Delange , lead guitarist J. Weichman, bassist Tascar Wise, and drummer Ian Thomas. 

  

Baptized in psychedelia and fuzz-laden guitar, “Side Effects” is one cool as hell track which I synchronize with immediately.  Title track, “Reckless Soul” keeps the momentum sweetly going with a driving rhythm, smooth vocals and spacy effects.  The feel-good sounds of “Here and There” puts me in my smiling phase and puts me in a care-free mood.  When listening to “Waiting For the Lights to Change”, I’m immediately infatuated with Delange’s lofty vocals and Weichman’s cutting edge guitar performance.

Every song on this ten song album is an absolute delight.  Reckless Soul is a definite keeper.

---

For more information on The Knast, visit their website @ https://www.theknast.com/