2020 – Red Rocker Records
By Phillip Smith; June 27, 2020
Swamp Blues 2, the
eleventh album from Nashville-based, Aussie blues-rocker 8 Ball Aitken
is a fabulous listen. Recorded at Yellow
Dog Studios in Wimberly, Texas, this thirteen-track all-original gem enlists
an amazing crew of musicians to help put this together. 8 Ball, on guitars and vocals, is
joined by drummer JJ Johnson (Tedeschi Trucks Band, John Mayer), bassist
Glenn Fukunaga (Robert Plant, Dr John, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Dixie
Chicks), Buddy Leach (George Thorogood & the Destroyers) on sax and
keys, with Guthrie Kennard and Julie Meridian on backing vocals.
I knew I was in for a special
listen once I heard the opening song “Tremolo Rain”. With rich Dylan-esque lyrics, 8 Ball
describes an assortment of characters from the Big Easy caught in a violent electrical
storm. His spacy guitar licks
delightfully pepper an ominous circular rhythm.
Rolling in like a long-forgotten song from Dire Straits, “Murderers
Bar” pays a wonderful homage to a once-popular hangout for blues aficionados at
the Melbourne Hotel in Brisbane. “Chocolate,
Jack Daniels, and LSD” is plumb exquisite.
Lyrics which would put a grin on John Prine’s face are paired
with a steady countryfied rhythm and sweet swirling sounds of organ. Making a guest appearance on harmonica for “Cold
Shower” is Mojo Webb. Webb, a semi-finalist
in the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, pours a heaping helping
of deep blues in this ode to loneliness on the road.
With a candid and genuine
approach, 8 Ball lyrically lays it on the line with every song. Swamp Blues 2 is masterfully crafted, and
indeed a wonderful listen.
For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://8ballaitken.com
