2017 – Hector Anchondo
By Phillip Smith;
Mar. 25,
2017
Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, and finalist in the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, the Hector Anchondo Band is one tight-as-hell band. Alongside lead guitarist/lead singer Anchondo is drummer Khayman Winfield, bassist Josh Lund, and Justin Shelton on harmonica. Anchondo’s spectacular guitar playing and suave vocal stylings stand out front in his newest release, Roll the Dice. Immersed in blues and Americana, this ten song album is a wonderful delight.
The lovely Kansas City
songstress Amanda Fish joins Anchondo to dish out some riveting vocals
in the energetic “Dig You Baby”. Anchondo rips it up on guitar while Eric Stark and Kenny Glover dole out a clutch horn accompaniment. This, fused to an outstanding harmonica performance
from Shelton, sets the pace for the
rest of the album. “Masquerade”, a
wonderful cocktail of blues and rockabilly is the perfect vehicle for Anchondo’s debonair voice. It’s a great
tune for sure. Anchondo brilliantly pulls the listener into his sad and lonesome world
in “Sometimes Being Alone Feels Right”, a ballad he sings with heart-felt
emotion. He masterfully does it again in
“Here’s To Me Giving Up”, performed in an absolute troubadour fashion. Following an exquisite guitar intro, Winfield and Lund create a worldly magnificent space for Anchondo’s guitar prowess to explore in the flawless cover of “Black
Magic Woman”. It’s absolutely beautiful.
I had the pleasure of
catching two stellar Hector Anchondo
Band performances last summer. The
first show was at the North Liberty
Blues and BBQ Festival in North Liberty, Iowa, and the second, was at the
fabulous Tommy Bolin Music Festival
in Sioux City, Iowa. I’ve been a fan
since.
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View my previous blog entries about the Hector Anchondo Band...
Hector Anchondo Band - North Liberty Blues and BBQ Festival - 2016
Photos © 2016 by Phillip Smith ...
Tommy Bolin Music Festival - Aug 6, 2016
