PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Hector Anchondo

Showing posts with label Hector Anchondo. Show all posts

Sunday, October 17, 2021

#523 : Hector Anchondo - Let Loose Those Chains

2021 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 17, 2021

Five years ago, in July of 2016, I heard Hector Anchondo for the first time, and instantly became a fan. His band was playing the North Liberty Blues and BBQ Festival in North Liberty, Iowa. Less than a month later, I would hear him again at Tommy Bolin Festival in Sioux City, Iowa. Again, he dazzled me with his unique style of blues. In 2020, Anchondo entered the International Blues Challenge in Memphis for the third time, and righteously awarded the top prize in the best solo/duo category. It was very well deserved.

Let Loose Those Chains is the brilliant all-original, self-produced new album from Hector Anchondo. With Anchondo on guitar and vocals, drummer Khayman Winfield, and bassist Joe Corley comprise the rest of this well-oiled three-piece band.

Title-track “Let Loose Those Chains” opens the album in a very poignant way, capturing my full attention. Anchondo’s writing and performance of this message of breaking free is absolutely striking. The tension is broken with the fabulously swinging track loaded with delicious twang called “I’m Going to Missouri”. It’s such a fun song. Anchondo breaks out the resonator and slide for his song of infatuation “Sweet Tooth”. I love this sound that feels like it’s straight out of the Mississippi Delta. Time seems to stand still as he slows things down for “Sometimes Being Alone Feels Right”, a beautiful ballad of self-reflection. Praise and gratitude are bestowed on single mothers everywhere, receiving a heart-felt acknowledgment in “Momma’s a Hard Man”. Anchondo makes this solo effort feel very personal.

Let Loose Those Chains is one of those records that shine brightly from every facet and elevates Anchondo to a whole new level. I highly recommend it.

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Link to the PhillyCheeze review of Hector Anchondo’s 2017 Roll the Dice album : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/03/hector-anchondo-band-roll-dice.html

For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.hectoranchondo.com

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Hector Anchondo Band - Roll the Dice

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

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/07/hector-anchondo-band-north-liberty.html

Tommy Bolin Music Festival - Aug 6, 2016

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/08/tommy-bolin-music-festival-aug-6-2016.html

Monday, August 8, 2016

Tommy Bolin Music Festival - Aug 6, 2016

Sioux City, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 8, 2016

One couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to hold the annual Tommy Bolin Music Festival in Sioux City, Iowa. It was such a wonderful experience. This year was special in that it was a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bolin's second solo album, Private Eyes. And a heartfelt celebration it was, full of positive energy and musical fellowship.

Somethings can't be helped, so I didn't make it in time to catch Perfect Strangers from Finland, who kicked the festival off at 2:00pm. I heard nothing but admirable comments about these guys who traveled the farthest to play by a long-shot. I did however make it in time to catch a really nice set from guitarist Dean Christopher and drummer Bobby Berge. Berge played with Bolin in Zephyr and then again in Energy.

The Hector Anchondo Band took the stage and treated us to a dashing performance of sizzling blues. Anchondo's well of talent runs very deep. His voice reminded me very much of the late great Roy Orbison while singing "Shake Me Shake Me". I was glad to hear "Candy Shop". Anchondo plays this one with some bodacious slide. Santana's "Black Magic Woman" made for a perfect finale, with an amazing display of surf guitar guided by a stellar drum performance. This one was fun indeed.

The Craig Erickson Band gave up a riveting performance as well. Erickson, started with with one my favorite tracks from his album Sky Train Galaxy, "Mojo in Memphis" and then got its psychedelic groove on with "Cosmic Farm". The groove keep going strong all the way to the end with "The Comeback" , and Erickson's tribute to Bolin, "Gettin' Tighter / Ode to T".

Following Craig Erickson, was the five-piece band, Russell Bizzett and the East/West Band, who dished out a rollicking set of blues-rock favorites. It's always a pleasure to hear Jr. Walker's "Shotgun" and Buddy Guy's "Messing With the Kid". They rocked the house on this one. It was also great to hear Etta James' "The Blues is My Business" as well as Freddy King's "Goin' Down".

The largest ensemble of the night, the Tommy Bolin Tribute Band, featured a revolving door of musicians consisting of Johnnie Bolin (Black Oak Arkansas), Craig Erickson, Bobby Berge, Ryan Vicker, Kenny Passarelli (Barn Storm), Sam Irish, and more. This special gathering of musicians performed live, the entire Private Eyes album. From the beginning note of "Busting Out for Rosey" , it was magical. Black Oak Arkansas's Jim Dandy and Samantha Barnes Seauphine made a surprise appearance, making for a plumb magnificent performance of "Shake the Devil". With bassist Kenny Passarelli in the house, it would have been a sin not to play "Rocky Mountain Way", which he co-wrote.

I was totally enamored by a tight rock fusion trio, called JRZ System. Their latest album Teazer is a Tommy Bolin tribute, and features all songs by Bolin. They played a monster instrumental set which included an encore featuring Craig Erickson. I did not let the night pass by without stopping by their merchandise table to purchase a couple of CDs. My only regret, is that I only bought two, and not three.

The evening was not going to end without a roof-raisin' set from one of my all-time favorite bands, Black Oak Arkansas. Grinning from ear to ear, I was happier than a bug in a rug to see this band play live again. It was so good to hear "Lord Have Mercy on My Soul", "Hot and Nasty", "Uncle Elijah", and "Hot Rod". BOA was in rare form. They were smokin'. For the finale, they treated us to their Bolin cover, "Post Toastie". It was splendid indeed.