#680 : Ndidi O - Simple Songs for Complicated Times (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Black Hen Music

 By Phillip Smith; May 4, 2024

 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I absolutely love the new album from Canadian musician Ndidi O. Simple Songs for Complicated Times, her sixth solo release swept me off my feet upon my first listen. It’s rootsy melancholy blues and bluesy melancholy roots are brought to life with Ndidi’s angelic vocals. Recorded at Steve Dawson’s Henhouse Studios in Nashville, the album features Ndidi on vocals, Dawson on guitar and pedal steel, Sam Howard on bass, Chris Gestrin on keys, and Gary Craig on drums. Backup singers include Khari McClelland, Dawn Pemberton, and Keri Latamir.

She leads the record off with “Get Gone” a blues-soaked anthem with a rocking rhythm, a taste of slide, and spirited backing vocals. It’s a great song to start with and sinks its hooks in me immediately. “Ode to Death” is absolutely unescapable. It’s not only a song, it’s an experience. Two of my favorite singers quickly come to mind when I hear this: Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey. There’s a little delta influence in “Light On”. I love the twangy goodness that coats the funky essence of this track. Country blues takes a spiritual path on “Change This Life” as it simply sinks right into the soul. I adore the Bonnie Raitt approach to “Too Late” and its spiritual, delta blues sound. I have to mention “Grief”. Ndidi’s talent of a writer shines excessively on this track. It’s quite an impactful song.

Songs for Complicated Times is certainly landing among my favorite albums of the year so far. I highly recommend giving it a listen

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Available on Bandcamp

  

#424 : Northern Social - (self-titled)

2019 – independent

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 28, 2019

Northern Social, a mesmerizing duo from Ontario, is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Dylan Wickens and drummer/percussionist Mike Rajna.  Their debut release is this wonderful five-track EP, saturated in blues.  Wickens, a two-time winner of the Toronto Blues Society New Talent Search, and nominee for The Maple Blues Awards’ Best New Artist in 2005, has been steadily touring these past twenty-two years, with either his own band, or with his Hendrix Tribute.  

The high-octane blues-rocker “Waiting” fearlessly rips this package open with fiery hot licks and a driving beat.  I’m instantly drawn to the hypnotic rhythm Wickens lays out in their cover of Keb Mo’s “Am I Wrong”.  It settles nicely in the pocket while his smooth and heavy vocals take charge.  “King of Hearts” is another one I can just get lost in.  There’s a bit of that North Mississippi moonshine poured on this one.  It’s fabulously dirty.  “Dead Neighbor Blues” is work of genius and beautifully brings this recording to a close.  Wickens definitely tapped into the blues when writing this one.

The five tracks on this EP surely packs a punch, and demands attention.  Northern Social is definitely worth taking a chance on. 

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·         Streaming formats are not available.  Purchases can be made through the website, www.dylanwickens.com