2019 – Bigtone Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb. 23, 2019
At the core of the Atomic Road Kings sits
vocalist/multi-instrumentalist ‘Big’ Jon Atkinson (Kim Wilson) and master
harp player Eric ‘Jailhouse’ VonHerzen (Walter Trout, Social
Distortion, Kid Ramos). Together, with
bassist Bill Stuve, drummer Malachi Johnson, and guitarists Scot
Smart and Danny Michel, they bring a robust, vintage blues sound
into the studio to create their debut album, Clean Up the Blood. The album contains eleven original songs, and
one traditional cover. Recorded live at Atkinson’s
studio using vintage analog gear from the Forties and Fifties, the album
has an authentic retro vibe to it and sounds terrific.
Stuve’s
slow blues bassline and Atkinson’s commanding vocals make “Rumors” such
a cool song. Tony Delgado, on lead
guitar, gives a smoking performance too. I love “Vibrations” as well. This throw-back with a Howlin’ Wolf
vibe features a splendid accompaniment from pianist Robert Welch. The ominous nature of title-track “Clean Up
the Blood” digs deep to the bone. Atkinson
and VonHerzen are definitely at the top of their game when it comes to
composing timeless-in-nature blues songs. Von Herzen keeps the rhythm rolling on “Two
Sided Story” with his magnificent harp playing. More bluesy goodness ensues with “Back Down South”.
Atomic
Road Kings is definitely a band for the blues enthusiasts to
keep an eye on. They are the real deal
indeed.
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