#580 > Emanuel Casablanca - Blood on My Hands (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2022 – Kings County Blues

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 15, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Blood on my Hands, the debut album from Brooklyn-based blues-rocker Emanual Casablanca has quickly garnered my admiration.  Casablanca’s all-in approach to music produces deep and personal songs.  That’s what makes his blues honest and real.  This album contains sixteen tracks of all-original material featuring an amazing arsenal of guests which include Eric Gales, Albert Castiglia, Paul Gilbert, Kat Riggins, Brother Dave, Felix Slim and Jimmy Carpenter.   

Delivered upon a metallic bolt of lightning and a strong System of a Down vibe, “Afraid of Blood” begins this kick-ass musical journey.  With Casablanca staring the listener squarely in the eyes, he confirms what we’re afraid of.  The answer is him.  The blues begins to pour freely afterwards as Gilbert blindsides me with his amazing guitar performance on “In Blood”.  Then Gales comes onboard for title track “Blood on My Hands”.  It’s always a treat to hear this man play.  Casablanca’s vocals are buttery and from the heart.  “Like a Pulse”, a beautiful duet featuring vocalist Kat Riggins and Sanga of the Valley on percussion, is a multi-faceted delight.  Nestled deep within a cloud of unsettled brooding, Casablanca sings of broken dreams and sleepless nights in “Bloodshot Eyes”.  The song, nailed to a hypnotic groove and featuring Castiglia on guitar, is quite infectious.  Felix Slim steps with guitar and harp in hand on “Nashville”.  I love the swampy slide and the sheer grittiness of this track.  It’s impossible to escape the driving rhythm and ear-worm-inducing riff on “Thicker Than Blood”.  The track absolutely rocks.  It’s shindig time when Brother Dave shows up with guitar in hand on “Testify”.  With a recurring riff, and a taste of slide, this one makes for a fun listen.

There’s a definite edge to Emanuel Casablanca’s songs as he presents them as blues, rock, and somewhere in between.  Blood on My Hands is a genuinely great listen from top to bottom and I look forward to hearing more from this emerging artist.       

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For more information about Emanuel Casablanca, visit this website : https://www.emanuelcasablanca.com/

 

#422 : Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues, Vol. 1

2019 – Hipsterdumpster Records
By Phillip Smith; Dec. 22, 2019

Australian bluesman Matty T Wall has been a favorite of mine since reviewing his debut album Blue Skies in 2016.  His second album, Sidewinder, which was released in 2018 was among my favorite albums that year.  Now, his third release, Transpacific Blues, Vol. 1 is out and I love it to pieces.  Wall records this colossal masterpiece with returning musicians, drummer Ric Whittle and bassist Stephen Walker to back him.  For this gem, Wall also pulls in some of the heaviest hitters in the blues arena to accompany him on this killer eight track album of classic blues.  Those guests include Walter Trout, Eric Gales, Kirk Fletcher, Dave Hole, and Kid Ramos. 

The record furiously kicks off with one of my absolute favorite songs, John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom”.  Featuring fellow Australian bluesman, slide guitarist Dave Hole, this song absolutely cooks.  The fabulous Eric Gales adds his fiery magic to the groovy cover of Tommy Tucker’s 1964 hit “High Heel Sneakers”.  It’s fun to hear Wall and Trout jam out on the “She’s Into Something”.  I love his cover of “Stormy Monday”.  Wall’s vocals are suave and soulful.  Kirk Fletcher appears on Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign” for one hell of a performance.  Whittle and Walker keeps a bit of that classic Stax vibe going too.  Wall delightfully takes on “I’m Tore Down”, originally recorded by Freddy King, and follows up with a riveting rendition of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads”.

This is definitely an album blues fans will want to pick up.  I dig every bit of it, from start to end.      

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

#418 : Mike Zito and Friends - Rock ‘n’ Roll : A Tribute to Chuck Berry

2019 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith; Nov. 22, 2019

This latest release from bluesman Mike Zito is a mighty stellar tribute to the legendary ‘Father of Rock and Roll’ Chuck Berry.  Being that both Zito and Berry are from St. Louis, Missouri, makes this a very personal project.  Zito, backed by his band, bassist Terry Dry, drummer Matthew Johnson, and pianist/organist Lewis Stephens incorporates a smashing guest list on this twenty track album, which includes some of my favorites: Joanna Conner, Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Luther Dickenson, Sonny Landreth, Tinsley Ellis,Tommy Castro, Albert Castiglia, and Kid Anderson.

The album begins with one of the first songs I learned to play on organ, William C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues”.  This song which I hold close to my heart features Chuck Berry Jr.  It’s such a rocking version of the song, and ushers the album in quite nicely.  I love the cover of “Rock & Roll Music” with Joanna Connor.  She’s such a powerhouse of a guitarist, and brings a lot to the table on this one.  Walter Trout shines as he always does on “Johnny B Goode”.  Damn, this one rocks!  Robben Ford steps in to record a fantastic remake of  “You Never Can Tell”.  This one will always remind me of my favorite film, Pulp Fiction.  The legendary Eric Gales punches up another favorite “Back in the USA” with a huge dose of his ripping guitar-work.  I always appreciate what Luther Dickinson is involved in, and “Too Much Monkey Business” is no exception.  I love “No Particular Place to Go” with Jerimiah Johnson.  This one really resonates.  Sonny Landreth brings a certain smoothness to “Havana Moon”.  I could listen to this one all day long.  

Being a huge fan of Chuck Berry and Mike Zito, this album has such a hold on me.  It’s downright spectacular.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website.. www.mikezito.com  

Track Listings

Disc: 1

  1. St - Louis Blues Charlie Berry III

  2. Rock N Roll Music - Joanna Connor

  3. Johnny B - Goode - Walter Trout

  4. Wee Wee Hours - Joe Bonamassa

  5. Memphis - Anders Osborne

  6. I Want to Be Your Driver Ryan Perry

  7. You Never Can Tell - Robben Ford

  8. Back in the USA - Eric Gales

  9. No Particular Place to Go - Jeremiah Johnson

  10. Too Much Monkey Business - Luther Dickinson

  11. Havana Moon - Sonny Landreth

  12. Promised Land - Tinsley Ellis

  13. Downbound Train - Alex Skolnick

  14. Maybelline - Richard Fortus

  15. School Days - Ally Venable

  16. Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Josh Smith/Kirk Fletcher

  17. Reeling and Rocking - Tommy Castro

  18. Let It Rock - Jimmy Vivino

  19. Thirty Days - Albert Castiglia

  20. My Ding a Ling - Kid Andersen

#316 : Eric Gales / Craig Erickson live @ The Redstone Room 1-26-18

Eric Gales w/ opening act Craig Erickson

Live @ The Redstone Room

Jan 26, 2018

Davenport, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 27, 2018

The Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa was the place to be for guitar aficionados Friday, January 26^th .  The Craig Erickson Band, with John Hall on bass and Rob Haskell on drums, delivered a powerful six-song set before The Eric Gales Band took the stage.  The Eric Gales Band consists of Eric on guitar, Byron Carter on bass, his wife LaDonna on drums and percussion, and Nick Hayes on drums.  

For a perfect start, Erickson kicked the evening off with the wonderfully funky “Space Rooster” from the Cosmic Farm album.  He delivered one my favorites, “Mojo in Memphis” in powerhouse fashion and broke out a groovy new track, “Love Land”  which rolled right into a fantastic cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Baby”.  Singer Alicia Strong joined The Craig Erickson Band for the final two songs, “Mercy” from Sky Train Galaxy, and “Overtime” off the Roadhouse Stomp album, ending the set with a room full of smiles and cheers.

Eric Gales was in top form as he greeted a near-capacity crowd to a couple of killer tracks, “Change in Me (the Rebirth)” and a sweet cover of Freddy King’s “Boogie Man” both off his brand new record, Middle of the Road”.  I loved his searing instrumental take on “Don’t Fear the Reaper”.  I immensely enjoyed being swept away by the rolling blues on “Swamp”.  That’s such a terrific song.  Gales brought the evening to a close, dishing out an incredible performance with a “Voodoo Chile / Back in Black” medley. It was absolutely wonderful.

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all photos by Phillip Smith

Craig Erickson Band

Eric Gales Band

all photos by Phillip Smith

Eric Gales - Concert Photos : Irish District Music & Arts Festival (Cedar Rapids, IA 6/18/16)

All photos by Phillip Smith