#695 : Johnny Burgin - Ramblin' From Coast to Coast (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Straight Shooter Records

By Phillip Smith; July 20, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Johnny Burgin continues to produce blues music in its purest form with his latest album Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast. Nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2023 for Traditional Blues Male Artist, Burgin’s guitar performances share top-billing with his song writing, elevating him to a level of high-regard. Recorded in assorted studios across the nation in Dallas, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Rochester, New York, then mixed at Greaseland Studios in San Jose, California by Kid Andersen, the album’s title Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast rightly fits. The record features a dozen solid-as-hell blues tracks and brings to the table as many special guests including John Blues Boyd, Rae Gordon, Ben Levin, Hanna PK, Jad Tariq, Jon Hay, and Dylan Bishop.

 Burgin ignites the album with title-track “Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast”. This cookin’ track includes Tariq on guitar and is backed by a rocking rhythm section featuring drummer Danny Banks, bassist Jon Hay, and pianist Christian Dozzler. Following immediately afterward is “Getting’ My Blues On”. I absolutely adore this. Burgin takes the song to the moon and back with his cosmic, note-bending delivery and soulful vocals. The backing vocals from Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Marina Crouse, and Jill Dineen are the icing on the cake and construct a sort of Hendrix-meets-Motown vibe. The flow continues strong with the classic Chicago Blues sound of “I Need Something Sweet”. Burgin’s lyrical mastery sets this up to be a timeless classic. The extremely talented Hanna PK accompanies Burgin on “Fresno Woman”. With Burgin breaking out the slide, I love hearing them trading guitar and piano licks back and forth. It sounds great. A juicy blast of harp from Burgin launches “I’m Playing Straight” as Little Village recording artist John Blues Boyd lends his suave vocals. The converging sound of guitars, piano, and harmonica creates a Mississippi juke joint experience for the listener. In a classic blues fashion, Burgin’s message to listen to one’s gut and refrain from second-guessing is the subject of “I Was Right the First Time”.  Accompanied by Levin on piano, this song swings with finesse.

 Ramblin’ From Coast To Coast is a high-caliber traditional blues album which all blues fans should give a listen to. It’s genuine, and it’s fantastic.  

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For more information about Johnny Burgin, visit the website at https://johnnyburgin.com

Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Johnny Burgin through this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=johnny+burgin

This album available on Bandcamp

#452 : Jeff Fetterman - Southern Son

2020 – Green Tea Music

 By Phillip Smith; July 4, 2020

 

Southern Son, the latest release from Jeff Fetterman has quickly garnered my affection.   Produced by Christoffer ‘Kid’ Andersen and recorded in California at Greaseland Studios, this twelve-track record is chockful of riveting blues-rock, with a tasty side of funk.  With Fetterman on guitar and vocals, his band is comprised of guitarist Eric Brewer, bassist Ralph Reitinger III, and drummer John McGuire.  Also appearing is John Halbleib on trumpet, Ric ‘Mightybone’ Feliciano on trombone, Doug Rowan on saxophone, and Kid Andersen on guitar, organ, piano, percussion and background vocals. 

Fetterman’s searing guitar on his high-energy opener “I Don’t Want To” sounds great with the horn-infused band and organ accompaniment.  The legendary tale of Robert Johnson’s pact with the Devil at the crossroads is a delightful and fun homage in “49/61”.  From the opening riff on “Ain’t Got You”, I’m hooked.  This big and bluesy hit infectiously rocks.  I love how “Blues for Charlie” gently drifts skyward-bound, like “Breathe” from Pink Floyd.  Beautifully executed, and performed, this instrumental is utterly remarkable.  Just as this track ends, Fetterman rolls into the only cover song on the album, “All Along the Watchtower”.  Here he takes a magical Isaac Hayes-inspired intro, before kicking the song into high-gear with a jaw-dropping guitar and vocal performance.  Behind the drums, McGuire grabs my attention fast with his thunderous and majestic beats.  This is my favorite track on the album.  Fetterman and company give up the funk on an incredible instrumental called “Voodoo Funk”.  It is another absolutely amazing song. 

 Fetterman’s Southern Son surely shines, and is one spectacular listen.                      

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