#606 : Tony Holiday - Motel Mississippi (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Forty Below

By Phillip Smith; April 7, 2023

Release Date : April 14, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

From his Porch Session albums, to his studio releases, I always find the music of Tony Holiday to be abundantly filled with juicy harp performances and swampy grooves.  His latest album, Motel Mississippi fits the bill again, and I really dig it.  When I read the album was recorded at Zebra Ranch in Coldwater, Mississippi, I knew it was going to be special.  With Holiday on vocals and harmonica, AJ Fullerton on guitar, Terrence Grayson on bass, Lee Williams on drums, and Dave Gross on guitars, organs, percussion, snare, and synth, the album has a rich texture.

This eight-track recording rolls out strong in a funky outlaw style with Victor Wainwright at the helm of a Wurlitzer on “Rob and Steal”.  They do a wonderful job of covering this Paul Wine Jones song.  It’s infectious as hell.  The sweet sound of Sixties blues fills the nooks and crannies of Holiday’s original “Trouble”.  Outside the nooks and crannies though, the song is a mind-bending experience loaded with musical psychedelia from Gross on guitar and Wainwright on the wah clav.  Short but really sweet is “She’s So Cold”, clocking in at just under two and a half minutes long, the groove on this one would make a mesmerizing extended jam.  The slide guitar of Aubrey McCrady makes for a fierce solo on “Just As Gone”.  It sounds great up against Gross on the Hammond, and Williams’ driving beat.  “Yazoo River” brings the album to a spirited close.  I really enjoy hearing Tony rip it up on harp.  It doesn’t get more Mississippi than this.

Motel Mississippi is one of those albums one will want to listen to in its entirety.  It is splendid from end to end.

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TRACK LISTINGS

 

1.      Rob and Steal

2.      Get By

3.      Trouble

4.      She’s So Cold

5.      Just As Gone

6.      Nobody But You

7.      You Know Who I Am

8.      Yazoo River

 

For more information about Tony Holiday visit his website at :  https://tonyholidaymusic.com

 

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Tony Holiday at :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Tony+Holiday

#322 : Victor Wainwright and the Train - (self-titled)

2018 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; March 2, 2018

Victor Wainwright, one of my favorite keyboardists playing the Blues today, has released a spectacular new album with his new backing band, The Train.  Making up The Train is drummer Billy Dean, bassist Terrence Grayson, and guitarist Pat Harrington. This album features a dozen original songs from Wainwright which ranges from barrelhouse blues to boogie-woogie.  No matter what he’s playing, it’s performed with precision and soul. 

Wainwright’s lush keys and ominous lyrics stand tall on “Wilshire Grave” as it sinks its claws in.  A seductive hook, the growling trumpet of Doug Woolverton, and the backing vocals of Reba Russell make this song the embodiment of cool.  With a bluesy Randy Newman vibe, “Dull Your Shine” emits a message of positivity as it reinforces the characteristic of individuality.  There hasn’t been a better song about debt collection than “Money”.  Wainwright’s piano prowess is quite amazing and Harrington’s guitar performance is terrific.  “Thank You Lucille” is a wonderful homage to the great B.B. King.  In a fitting tribute, guitarist Monster Mike Welch seemingly channels the man himself.  A slow-burn start on “Sunshine” breaks into a rejoicing Phish-phriendly jam with tiny nods to the great Frank Zappa.  Harrington’s smokin’ guitar performance coupled with Billy Dean’s amazing drum fills put a gigantic smile on my face.

Victor Wainwright and the Train is one stellar record, and certainly deserves to be heard.

   

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Also reviewed on Phillycheeze’s Rock & Blues Reviews

Click below to read PhillyCheeze's review of  :Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots – Boom Town

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2015/07/victor-wainwright-and-wildroots-boom.html