2024 – Shive Records
Release Date : June 4, 2024
By Phillip
Smith; Sep, 7, 2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
A nostalgic wave washes over
me with every listen to Demons + Rationals, the latest release from
Oklahoma song-writer/performer Brad Fielder. He is a master at tapping
into the that pre-war music vein and breathing new life into that style with new,
original songs. His music blend blues, ragtime, folk, and country, and is performed
acoustically, often using a resonator guitar. According to Fielder, the
music on this record draws its influence at the ‘intersection between Saturday
night and Sunday morning” catering to both hooligans and bible-thumpers. With Fielder
on guitars, vocals, and harmonica, he is backed by Charley Reeves on
sousaphone and bass fiddle, Brandon Brunious on six string banjo and
electric guitar, Megan Harris Brunious (Hank III, Peaches)
on vocals, accordion, percussion, and trumpet, Jesse Armerding on drums
and percussion, and Juel Niimi on trombone.
Fielder quickly draws my attention with “Little Lake Turnaround”.
His masterful lyrics have a fascinating Charles Bukowski appeal and a Jimbo
Mathus sense of presentation. Following up next is “Outreach Bibles” in which
Fielder tells the story of a depression-era bible salesman. I couldn’t help
but think about the 1973 film Paper Moon. Megan Harris Brunious steps
in for a wonderful duet on “Daddy’s Water” a song which reminds us that our hidden
secrets are often revealed once we encounter death. She also heads-up lead
vocals on the beautiful folk-spiritual “Catch That Spirit and Fly”. Fielder
places the trifecta of consumption at the front of the line in “Eatin Drinkin
Smokin”. This song has a way of rattling around in my head long after hearing
it, and I don’t mind a bit.
Demons + Rationals is an amazing listen from start to finish. I highly
recommend giving this album from Brad Fielder a listen.
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For more information about Brad
Fielder, visit his website at https://www.bradfielder.net/
Available on Bandcamp
