John
Nemeth
Feelin’ Freaky
2017 – Memphis Grease
By Phillip Smith;
May 9, 2017
Feelin’ Freaky,
the latest release from John Nemeth
is a brilliant collage of heady blues-rich soul music taking a smidge of
liberty to poke fun at society and embrace those on the edge. Recorded at the Zebra Ranch in Coldwater, Mississippi and Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee with his
touring band, the Blue Dreamers (guitarist
Johnny Rhoades, bassist Matthew Wilson, drummer Danny Banks) under the direction of Grammy-nominated producer
Luther Dickenson, the album certainly
has its share of the Bluff City woven
into its DNA.
Nemeth addresses
the topic of gun violence in America while blasting a wall of lush poppy horn-infused
soul in “Under the Gun”. I can’t help but think of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground while this terrific anthem
rolls out the speakers. He crushes it on
title track “Feelin’ Freaky” a funky jewel with a driving riff and creamy
contagious hook. Nemeth breaks out a briefcase full of blues harp to top off the dance-friendly
groove on “Get Offa Dat Butt”. This is a
fun one for sure.
Capturing the sweet soul Stax sounds of the early Seventies, Nemeth unleashes a smoking smooth vocal
performance on “Rainy Day” a song of regret and heartbreak. He nails it down again in “Long Black
Cadillac”. The song is heavy and
beautiful.
Nemeth continues to keep a unique
edge applied to his music, never failing to engage the listener with fresh
funky grooves drenched in old-school soul.
That’s exactly what I love about this album.
