2024 – Gulf Coast Records
By Phillip Smith; July 25, 2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
BadNews Travels Fast, the latest album from Nashville-based bluesman Chris
BadNews Barnes drew my attention quite quickly. His fearless approach to
the blues makes for a splendid outlet for his witty lyrics. Produced by multi-Grammy-winning
Tom Hambridge, this eleven-track record of all originals features Barnes
on lead vocals with Hambridge on drums/percussion/backing vocals, Kenny
Greenberg on guitars, Tommy MacDonald on bass, Mike Rojas on
keyboards, Max Abrams on saxophone, Steve Patrick on trumpet, and
Tabitha Fair on backing vocals. This
release also features guests Jimmy Hall, Sugaray Rayford, and Walter
Trout.
Hall steps in with harp in hand as Barnes and his band release a ferocious blast of blues on “Badnews Travels Fast”. I love the high-energy and tight musicianship packed into this barn-burner. To keep the fire burning, the legendary Walter Trout lends his guitar mastery to “True Blue” for an amazing listen. Fair’s vocals add a beautiful and soulful touch. This is truly an outstanding song. It brings a smile to my face to hear Sugaray Rayford on “You Right Baby”. It’s fun one indeed. Greenberg and Rojas fabulously keep the blues flowing as Barnes’ sharp wit turns its focus to the boudoir in “Skin to Skin”. Bounties on heads and unshakable outlaws are subjects of Barnes’ intriguing spaghetti-western landscape for “Ambushed by the Blues”. It’s absolutely brilliant. An unexpected trunk of funk is busted open for “Do the Houdini”. I dig the touch of Stax lurking behind the keys and bassline. It makes for a playful, infectious groove that pulls me right along as I enjoy the musical ride.
Chris BadNews Barnes’ BadNews Travels Fast is a refreshing record of blues which has a way of brightening the mood in a most enjoyable way.
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For more information about Chris BadNews Barnes, visit the website at https://www.chrisbarnesnyc.com/
