2017 – American Showplace
Music
By Phillip Smith;
Apr 15, 2017
From 1998 to 2003, Sean Chambers toured as lead guitarist
and band leader for the legendary bluesman Hubert
Sumlin. During that time, Chambers
was named by Guitarist Magazine as “One
of the Top 50 blues guitarists of the last century”. His sixth release, Trouble & Whisky is fully-loaded with raw electrified blues. Backing Chambers
is drummer Kris Schnebelen(Trampled Under Foot) , bassist Todd Cook, and Michael
Hensley on B3 and piano.
Right out of the gate, the driving
rhythm and searing blues in “I Need Your Lovin” sets the tone for the whole
album. Chambers’ slide guitar on “Bottle Keeps Staring at Me” gets so red
hot, it scorches. The infectious hook
sets in and does not let go. With Schnebelen nailing down a thunderous
performance on drums, Chambers takes
on Rory Gallagher’s “Bullfrog Blues”
with unbridled force. I love the way Chambers’ guitar wails with emotion in
his rendition of s B.B. King’s “Be
Careful with a Fool”. It’s plumb
terrific. Special guest, John Ginty,
one of my favorite keyboardists today, lays down some groovy keys on his B3 in the soulful jamboree of “Travelin’
North”. It melts like butter with Cook’s funky bassline. The song soars skyward as Chambers takes control of this
wonderful instrumental.
Trouble & Whiskey is about as good as it gets. It is indeed a powerful album.
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