2015 – Del Mundo Records
By Phillip Smith; Oct. 24, 2015
UK singer/songwriter/guitarist
Martin Harley along with Daniel Kimbro, an extremely talented
upright bass player from Eastern Tennessee, should work together more
often. The duo recorded the magnificent
ten track album, Live at Southern Ground in
just a ‘handful of hours’ at Southern
Ground Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. With the exception of a couple of
covers, the majority of the album features the engrossing lyrics and fetching
melodies written by Harley.
“Cardboard King” is such a beautiful
song about loss and disappointment. Harley’s
buttery vocals are the icing on this cake filled with an amazing blend of resonator
with slide and bow-played bass. I love
the playful and fun approach Martin takes as he picks “Honey Bee” banjo-style. This one makes me smile, as does the swinging
“Love in the Afternoon”.
I can feel the emotion emanating
from Harley as he goes to church and
plays the hell out of Tom Waits’ “Chocolate
Jesus”. They also nail Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault
But Mine” to the wall. Harley has the perfect voice for
wailing out the blues. That voice paired
with his unique guitar stylings make for a delightful listen.
Live at Southern Ground certainly lands in my personal list of favorite
records this year.
