#559 > The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer - Live at the King Eddy (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

By Phillip Smith; June 18, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

It’s a rare occasion where a live album is my first experience with a band’s music, and it turns me into an instant fan.  Live at the King Eddy, the latest release from The Harpoonist and the Axe Murder is definitely the center point of one of those occasions.  The Harpoonist is vocalist/harp player Shawn Hall.  The Axe Murderer is guitarist Matt Rogers.  The two together with vocalists Andrina Turenne and Dawn Pemberton, along with keyboardist Geoff Hilhorst throw down one hell of a shindig at the historical King Edward Hotel in Calgary.  That recorded performance celebrates fifteen years of collaboration of playing the Blues, and it’s absolutely wonderful.

“Cry a Little” trucks right on in, and gets things off to a swinging start with a funky harp-laden groove and whiskey-soaked vocals.  I can’t help but gush about the swamp-water soaked “Do Whatcha”.  Between the whirling sounds of Hillhorst’s organ and Hall’s guttural yelps, the song takes glamourous dips into the psychedelic realm.  From their most recent studio album Apocalipstick, “Pretty Please” is a fiery, rambunctious track which transforms the revival tent into a hot and sweaty blues tent, bringing everyone to their feet.  “Father’s Son”, another selection off the same studio album, is simply amazing.  I love how the driving beat and funky riff takes a cliff dive into another universe.  It’s certainly no “Cats in the Cradle”.  That’s for sure.  Rogers cranks up the heat on guitar for a cooking performance as Hall goes all-in on “Get Out” taking the blues to the brink of places I’ve never heard.  This track does indeed tear the roof off the sucker. 

Live at the King Eddy is an absolute eye-opener for me.   The musical chemistry shared between these guys sure makes for some exquisite blues.  I hope I have the opportunity to catch them live in concert one of these days, because I’m sure it would be a hell of a good time.

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For more information about this band, visit their website https://www.harpoonistaxemurderer.com/

Find this album on Bandcamp

David Gogo - Vicksburg Call

2015 –Cordova Bay Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep 26, 2015

Canadian blues guitarist David Gogo delivers outstanding electric guitar blues in pure album storytelling fashion via his fourteenth record, Vicksburg Call.  Gogo steps through each of the ten songs like a separate chapter in this narration of a bad breakup.  Gogo's stellar band consists of Jay Stevens (bass guitar, vox, piano), Bill Hicks (drums, percussion), Marisha Devoin (acoustic bass), and Rich Hopkins (Hammon organ).    

“Cuts Me to the Bone” is hard rockin’ Texas style blues that pulls me right in to his world. With an intro that pays homage to Neil Young, and a rhythm that fits really comfortable, the song screams to be turned up loud.  I also have to mention “What’s Not to Like” which boasts one hell of a catchy hook.  I like the frugally peppering of slide guitar on this one. The legendary Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown), guitar in hand, joins in for “Fooling Myself”.  This one is one big bowl of blues.   

I love his spacy psychedelic take on Neil Young’s “The Loner” with the cool as hell bass line from Stevens.  Gogo’s slathering of raw and fuzzy goodness on his guitar riffs grabs my attention as the song melts in my ears. A big surge of empathy erupts as Gogo distraughtly sings “There’s a Hole”, about the hole in his life that his woman used to fill. The finishing touches of harmonica from special guest Shawn Hall pull the heartstrings even tighter.  Gogo masterfully tackles Stephen Stills’ “Jet Set (Sigh)” too.  His guitar performance on this track is phenomenal.  The unexpected treat on this album appears on the final track.  Gogo beautifully puts his unique spin on Annie Lennox’s “Why”, singing it with fortitude of conviction.

Amazing guitar performances and great songs make Vicksburg Call a captivating listen.