2019 – Underworld Records
By Phillip Smith; March 23, 2019
Coyote
Kings, that fiery blues band from Wala Wala, Washington which
I’ve been reviewing since 2011, is back once again with yet another rockin’
album of blues. The album is called Rocket, and it happens to be the Coyote
Kings first on Tim Langford’s (Too Slim & the Taildraggers)
music label Underword Records. This
is also their first album featuring their new singer, Tiphony Dames who
recorded her debut self-titled album with the band in 2017. Led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Robin
Barrett, Coyote Kings is also comprised of bassist Kit Kuhlmann
and drummer Gordon Townsend.
“Drive Me”, with its bluesy beatnik vibe scores huge,
blending searing guitar licks from Barrett and Diego Romero with a
fierce accompaniment from Nate Miller on sax. Dame’s vocals are smooth as silk, and
sound great. Things get heavy with “Break
Free” as Barrett throws down a riff that’s infectious and yet psychedelically
ominous. Miller shreds the sax
again, as Barrett unleashes the funk in “All Tangled Up”. The mood softens when Dame sings “Baby’s
Gone”, a heartbreaking lament of lost love.
Her vocals really shine here. The
album comes to a close with a beautiful five-minute instrumental called “Song
For Shaman”, featuring guest bassist Kelin Kreider. The track is absolutely
stunning.
Rocket, the sixth album from the Coyote Kings is a positive
step in a new direction for the band, and I look forward to hearing more from
them with Tiphony.
---
For more information about the artist, visit this
website.. coyotekings.com
