2019 – Vizztone
By Phillip Smith; Mar. 16, 2019
I’ve been a fan of Nick Schnebelen since
reviewing Trampled Under Foot’s 2011 release Wrong Side of the Blues for Blues Revue Magazine’s online
zine BluesWax. I remember being in such awe of great
talent when I saw the band perform live at Riverside Casino in 2012. Schnebelen’s Live in Kansas City album, released in 2017, was outstanding, and this
brand-new record Crazy All By Myself
is absolutely terrific. Producer/drummer
Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, Robert Cray), along with heavy hitters, organist/pianist
Mike Finnigan and bassist Hutch Hutchinson form one hell of a
rhythm section.
I love the groove Braunagel and bassist Reggie
McBride pour over “It Ain’t Me”. Smooth and intoxicating, it washes over me,
like a fine bourbon. Hearing Schnebelen
let loose on guitar is pure joy. Finnigan
absolutely cooks on piano for “Ain’t Got Time For the Blues”. The song is a massive dose of adrenalized blues
with more stellar guitar from Nick. Another song that grabs my full attention is “Alter
of Love” which happens to feature one my favorite harp players, Jason Ricci. This is one positively fabulous.
Schnebelen breaks
out some wonderfully delicious slide guitar as he expresses his fondness for Harley
Davidsons in the double-entendre loaded bike song “I’m a Fat Boy”. With “Soul Magic”, the lovely Heather
Newman appears on backing vocals, as Nick reveals his prowess as an
R&B singer. “Holding On”, beautifully
performed and featuring the great Davy Knowles on guitar, is another
favorite.
Focused and fierce, Schnebelen has taken his
music up another notch. Crazy All By
Myself is definitely a record for blues fans to take notice of.
---
For more information about the artist, visit the website : www.nickschnebelenkc.com .
