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
