2024 – Zavuya Music LLC
There’s a huge retro-blues
appeal to the new album from Washington DC area bluesman Linwood Taylor. Taylor,
whose musical influences include Muddy Waters, Albert Collins,
and Luther Allison recorded Two Sides live in a couple of sessions
in 2021 at two different venues. One location featured five songs from the electric
set, and the other featured five songs from the acoustic set. With Taylor
mastering guitars and vocals, his band is comprised of Steve Wolf on
bass, Joe Wells on drums, and Sol Roots on guitars and backing
vocals.
The electric side begins with some party-infused Chicago blues as they roll out a smokin’ cover of Bonnie Lee’s “I’m Good”. With a rocking soulful riff, “Safe to Say” quickly draws me in. The energy reminds me of the Black Crowes in a way. The riveting swamp blues of Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hip” is a treat to hear. It is fearless and raw, just like the blues should be.
The slide on dobro puts a smile on my face as the acoustic side starts with a timeless delta blues style original “Love My Baby”. This side heats up even more as Taylor takes on the classic “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” and makes it his own. For acoustic blues, a Robert Johnson track is a must, and Taylor does an excellent job of performing “Dust My Broom”.
Fans of real-deal blues will definitely want to check Two Sides from Linwood Taylor out. It’s as solid as it gets.
Visit Linwood Taylor's Bandcamp page to purchase the
recording.
