#674 : Wonderful Smiths - (self-titled) (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Wonderful Smiths

By Phillip Smith; April 16, 2024

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I was first introduced to the music of Wonderful Smiths in the winter of 2023 at the second annual da’Bluesapalooza in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The band played a stellar set of music, turning me into an instant fan. Wonderful Smiths are an Iowa-based blues-rock band which brings to the stage a high-energy show filled with excitement and a ripping array of songs. Fronted by Adam Springer on lead/rhythm guitar and lead vocals, the band is comprised of lead/rhythm guitarist Drew Hurn, bassist Nate Kofron, and drummer/percussionist Dustin Duwa. Their debut all-original release is a self-titled five track EP which certainly leaves me wanting more.

The record opens strong with “West Coast Turnaround”. Boasting fierce riffs and a fearless approach reminiscent of The Black Crowes, the song quickly sinks its claws in.  Emotions run deep on breakup ballad “Through the Night”. It is wonderfully melodic and boldly infectious. I love the power-pop guitar opening and soulful vocals on “Timing and Everything”. It’s a damn good jam. I dig the Seventies Rolling Stones vibe on “Getting Over”.  The EP ends with the relaxed, rootsy swagger of “Sunday Sound”. Beautifully performed and masterfully topped with slide, this acoustic track gives Springer generous space for his voice to shine. 

This is as strong as a debut recording can get. Wonderful Smiths prove they are indeed a force to be reckoned with on the music scene.

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For more information about Wonderful Smiths, visit their website at https://wonderfulsmiths.com/ 

EP available on BandCamp

#657 : Danielle Nicole - The Love You Bleed (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Forty Below Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 27, 2024

Release Date : Jan. 26, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Nearly six years have passed since Danielle Nicole released her Grammy Nominated Cry No More album.  Produced by Tony Braunagel, The Love You Bleed is Danielle’s third studio album as a solo artist.  It most certainly makes for a brilliant return and is an absolutely amazing listen from start to finish.  The songs she writes are heart-felt and filled with true grit.  They are then sung with a fearless grace.  With Danielle on vocals and bass guitar, she is joined by her husband Brandon Miller on guitars and mandolin, and Go-Go Ray on drums.  Braunagel appears on percussion, with Stevie Blacke on strings.

My heart melts from the opening words sung on “Right By Your Side”.  Danielle’s angelic vocals take top billing on this dreamy Sixties Soul-inspired song.  Arriving on an ominous hill-country blues riff, “Head Down Low” begins as a slow-cooker which Miller and Go-Go bring to a rapid, intense boil.  Danielle generously pours an added fierceness on top vocally.  Her performance of Trisha Yearwood’s “A Lover is Forever” is so stunning and her voice is so beautiful, I cannot help but think of Amy Winehouse.  “Say You’ll Stay” intrigues me as it navigates from a retro Fifties pocket of soul into an ethereal Beatles-esque realm.  It’s a very emotional song sung with a gorgeous delivery.  “Fools Gold” sinks its claws in deep with an infectious rhythm, and beat-poet lyrics.  Damon Parker adds a grand touch on synth, as Miller shines on slide guitar.  There is no escape from the soul-wrenching “Who He Thinks You Are”.  This tsunami of melancholia is a flawless gem on track for song of the year.  The record ends with a breath of hope on “Young Love on the Hill”.  Played on mandolin, the song is a sweet splash of Americana.                       

The Love You Bleed is Danielle Nicole’s best album to date and receives my highest of recommendations.  It only gets better with each listen. 

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://daniellenicolemusic.com

 

Follow the link below for other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Danielle Nicole 

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Danielle+Nicole

#577 > John Primer - Hard Times (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Blues House Productions

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 24, 2022

 

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Hard Times, the very latest release from Chicago Blues great John Primer captures my ‘real-deal’ blues-loving heart with thirteen new originals.  With Steve Bell on harmonica, Lenny Media on drums, and David Forte on bass, this recording also features special guests Rick Kreher on 2^nd guitar, Johnny Iguana on piano and organ, and John’s seventeen-year-old daughter Aliya Primer on vocals.  Primer states: “The name of my new CD reflects the world we’re living in today.  I recorded this CD to help us get through these really hard times.”.

I’m drawn right in to Primer’s churning delta-blues riffs on title-track “Hard Times”.  The slide guitar is absolutely wonderful as it sits in front of the spectacular piano and harp accompaniment.  Immediately following is the intoxicating and soul-warming homage to the genre “Blues-Blues-Blues”.  It’s one of my favorites.  With daughter Aliya on lead vocals for her debut recording session, “Tough Times” is an endearing track about sticking together.  The chemistry John and Aliya share brings to mind the Mississippi Delta Blues father/daughter duo Bill ‘Howl-N-Madd’ Perry and Shy Perry.  Filled with attention-grabbing guitar runs, waves of organ sounds, and doses of searing harp, “Trying To Make You Mine” is a hands-down fabulous track which I immensely enjoy.  With his great talent of painting pictures with words, Primer piles healthy scoops of certifiable blues on “Hot Meal”.  It doesn’t get much better than this.

As usual, John Primer and his Real Deal Blues Band perform the blues as it should be heard.  Hard Times is as authentic as it gets.

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For more information about John Primer, visit this website : https://johnprimerblues.com

 

 

#408 : J.P. Soars - Let Go of the Reins

2019 – Whiskey Bayou Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 14, 2019

Produced by Tab Benoit, Let Go of the Reins delightfully highlights everything I like about the music of J.P. Soars : smokin’ guitar licks, hard-scrabble lyrics, and fearless vocals.  Soars, the Arkansas-based artist who won 1^st place at the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and pulled down the Albert King Award for best guitarist, rolls out his fifth solo studio album covered in hard-driving blues.  Soars steers the ship on vocals and guitars, with Chris Peet on bass guitar, Tab Benoit on drums, and Tillis Verdin on the Hammond B3.   

Soars begins the album with a jumpin’ cover of J.B. LeNoir’s “Been Down So Long”.  The fresh new arrangement absolutely cooks.  I love the swampy cover of the 1970 hit song “If You Wanna Get to Heaven”, by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.  Soars definitely makes this one his own.  I thoroughly enjoy his beautiful performance of Django Reinhardt’s intoxicating instrumental “Minor Blues” too. 

A wonderful deep dark groove, preceded by an ominous entrance, guides title-track “Let Go of the Reins” on its hypnotic path to a psychedelic finish.   Soars cut loose on his spirited tribute to Freddie King called “Freddie King Thing”.  It jams indeed.  “Lonely Fire” with its delicate melody and Spanish influence, is a song I simply adore.  

I highly recommend Let Go of the Reins.  It’s among the best albums I’ve heard this year.    

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : jpsoars.com  

Eliza Neals - 10,000 Feet Below

2017 –  E-H Records LLC

By Phillip Smith; Apr 29, 2017

10,000 Feet Below, the latest album from Detroit music artist Eliza Neals is pretty incredible.  This wonderfully talented singer/songwriter/pianist and 2013 Michigan Blues Hall of Fame inductee, guitarist Howard Glazer (The Narcotics) are backed by an amazing group of guest musicians in the making of this fabulous record.

  

Neals’ angelic vocals pour freely over Glazer’s captivating and psychedelic guitar licks in the dark and spacy cover of Skip James’ “Hard Killing Floor”.  It’s an absolute delight. There’s a huge splash of more mind-melting psychedelic-infused blues in the boldly performed “Call Me Moonshine”.  Glazer’s playing is sublime.  I get lost in the hypnotizing groove of “Merle Dixon”.  It’s a warm and fuzzy guitar play-land to spend time in. 

Neals digs in deep and pulls out some amazing power vocals Ann Wilson-style, for the scorching rocker “Burn the Tent Down”.  Teaming up with guitarist Billy Davis (Jimi Hendrix, Hank Ballard), Neals gives an intoxicating delivery on the heady original composition “At the Crossroads”.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

10,000 Feet Below is a striking album, full of rich melodies and exquisite vocals.

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JL Fulks - On Down the Road- EP

2016 – JL Fulks Enterprizes

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 20, 2016

Some say great things come in small packages.  That is very true for the latest release, On Down the Road, from the twenty-six year old singer/guitarist JL Fulks . This five track EP is one big bowl of outstanding tunes. After giving it a single listen, one should find it very obvious how his band made it to the Semi-finals of the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  Originally hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, and living in Memphis for a while, Fulks now finds his home in Southern Florida, fronting his trio composed of Ken Burgner on bass, and Ian Jones on drums.   

The southern rock fueled title track, “On Down the Road” will get the foot stomping for sure.  Speckled with the sounds of summer, this song about conquering restlessness and breaking free to head out on one’s life journey, features some mighty fine and tasty lead guitar provided by special guest Matt Schofield.  A driving beat and the lush sounds of a B3 from Muggie Doo, set the perfect stage for Fulks’ commanding vocals and riveting guitar on “The River”. 

Fulks guitar is dynamic and intoxicating on the colossal “Phrygian Dance”.  This prog-blues instrumental is pumped with killer beats and stellar bass, making it shine immensely.  This fantastic EP is such a treat to hear, and I anxiously await to hear more music from JL Fulks.