#698 : J.P. Soars - Brick By Brick (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Little Village
Release Date : Jun 30, 2024
 
By Phillip Smith;
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

J.P.  Soars has been sweeping me off my feet for over ten years. His magnificent slide work keeps pushing the envelope with every new album he releases. It was the 2013 release of a record called Easy Livin’ by blues super-group Southern Hospitality which first drew my attention to this fellow Arkansan. Formed with Damon Fowler and Victor Wainwright, that band is still active and is currently touring.

Soars’ latest album, Brick by Brick is an astonishing record, jam-packed with phenomenal music. With Soars on vocals, guitars, dobro, banjo, bass, lap steel, two string cigar box guitar, merlin stick dulcimer, and jaw harp, he is joined by Chris Peet on drums and bass, Raul D Hernandez on percussion, Jeremy Staska on percussion, Bob Taylor on Hammond B3, Paul DesLauriers and Annika Chambers on backing vocals, Anne Harris on fiddle, and Rockin’ Jack Jacobs on harp, and Terry Hanck on tenor saxophone.

From the beginning, I’m swallowed up by the lush blues-rock groove on title-track “Brick By Brick”. It grabs on tightly and keeps its clutches sunk in until the end. I absolutely love it. A funky guitar riff, swirling B3, and a slathering of soul gives “Keep Good Company” the Muscle Shoals treatment for a southern-rock, feel-good time. “In the Moment” is absolutely gorgeous. Soars’ delicate performance makes this a beautiful instrumental. I always appreciate hearing J.P. break out that back-woods swampy slide, and when he does on “The Good Lord Will Provide” it sounds so damn good. The racing pulse on “Things Ain’t Working Out” makes for an exciting listen while Soars rips it up on this bodacious jamboree.

J.P. Soars’ Brick by Brick receives my highest of recommendations. I encourage everyone to give this a listen.

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For more information about J.P. Soars, visit the website at https://jpsoars.com

 

For more PhillyCheeze reviews featuring JP Soars, visit https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=J.P.+Soars

 

 

  

#592 > Damon Fowler & Friends - Live at the Palladium (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2023 – Landslide Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 14, 2023

Release Date : Jan 20, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I been preaching the gospel of Damon Fowler for almost ten years.  In 2013, Fowler, J.P. Soars, and Victor Wainwright unleashed an outstanding record under the name of Southern Hospitality, called Easy Livin’.  The CD had landed in my mailbox for review and after giving it a listen, I was smitten with his work.  Fowler’s latest release features this master guitarist playing live at the Palladium alongside bassist Chuck Riley, drummer Justin Headley, and special guests Jason Ricci on harmonica, Eddie Wright on guitar, and Dan Signor on keys.  Live at the Palladium features eight original songs, and two bodacious covers.

Early in on this set, Fowler breaks out a handful of my favorites from his prior album Alafia Moon.  His fabulous cover of Guy Clark’s “The Guitar” puts a gigantic smile on my face.  Clark ranks up there among the best when it comes to songwriters, and I absolutely love this song which Fowler has breathed a new life into.  “I’ve Been Low” gets wonderfully intense as Fowler lets loose on his guitar.  His no-holds-barred approach never ceases to amaze me.  Jason Ricci steps in for a four-song run starting with “Somethings Change”.  It’s always a joy to hear him play harp.  The performance of Fowler and Ricci on “Somethings Change” is exquisite.  Ricci does what Ricci does best, pouring his heart and soul into the smoldering, slow blues of “Tax Man”.  Fowler sings and plays this one with fine precision.  Both Wright and Ricci join in on the closing song “Sugar Shack”.  This title-track off Fowler’s 2009 Blind Pig release clocks in at just under twelve minutes, and magnificently paves the way for a blues-soaked southern-rock jam.  It definitely makes for a grand finale.

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For more information about Damon Fowler, visit his website at :  https://www.damon-fowler.com/

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Damon Fowler  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=damon+fowler

 

 

#584 > Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers - Good Trouble (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Vizztone Records

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 12, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers have both been on my radar a while.  I covered Chambers’ 2019 album Kiss My Sass, and DesLauriers’ 2016 release Relentless, as well as his 2019 release Bounce.  I embraced all three of those recordings.  The spirited couple met at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and started working together in 2019.  Within the same year, they fell in love and got married. Good Trouble is their first full album together, and it’s absolutely fabulous.  Annika’s voice sounds divine as she takes on lead vocals.  Paul’s talent shines bright and runs immensely deep as he performs on an array of instruments.  He plays guitar, dobro, cigar box guitar, bass, and mandolin.  Additional musicians on the album include JP Soars on guitar, Chris Peet on drums and percussion, Gary Davenport on bass guitar, Alec McElcheran on bass guitar, Bernard “Bingo” Deslauriers on drums, Barry Seelen on Hammond B-3 organ, and Kim Richardson on background vocals.

A charged blast of southern soul rips the album wide open on “You’ve Got to Believe”.  Paul throws down a fiery guitar performance and a delightful accompaniment on mandolin.  Annika’s vocals are fearless and commandeering as she belts this amazing song out.  They create a riveting and soulful recreation of George Harrison’s “Isn’t it a Pity” from his All Things Must Pass album.  It’s quite different from the original, but it’s quite amazing.  They also do a spectacular job covering the Joe South 1970 hit “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” which peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  The warm bluesy tones of Paul’s guitar gently walk the listener into “Need Your Love So Bad”, the duet he sings with Annika.  This is indeed the blues.  My biggest surprise was hearing their take on Mountain’s legendary blues-rock anthem “Mississippi Queen”.  They absolutely shine as they keep this cover tightly close to the original.  I would have loved to witness this recording in the studio.  Good Trouble wraps up with a nearly ten-minute sacred-soul jam of “I Need More Power”.  This music for the spirit effortlessly takes me into a hypnotic trance and I love every bit of it.

Good Trouble is a brilliant album loaded with musical perfection.  I highly encourage everyone to give it a listen. 

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#490 : Damon Fowler - Alafia Moon

 

2021 – Landslide Records

Release Date: Mar. 26, 2021

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 13, 2021

 

I’ve been reviewing the music of Tampa, Florida musician Damon Fowler for almost eight years now.  Whether playing with his own band, or with Southern Hospitality, the supergroup he was in with J.P.Soars and Victor Wainwright, Fowler continues to be a magnificent force to be reckoned with.  His songs are compelling, his voice soulfully raspy, and his slide guitar is superb.  Alafia Moon, his eighth solo album was coproduced by Fowler and George Harris (Cheap Trick, Rick Derringer, Brian Johnson – AC/DC), and features Chuck Riley on bass, Justin Headley on drums, T.C. Carr on harmonica, Mike Kach on keys, backup vocalist Betty Fox, and Josh Nelms in charge of background noise.     

The record slides nicely into play with the swampy infectious goodness of “Leave It Alone”.  The groove quickly takes ahold of me.  The lush melody and beautiful arrangement on title-track “Alafia Moon” is a delight for the soul.  Notes from the organ seem to linger in mid-air, as the cymbals crash, with Fowler’s passion-soaked vocals ringing out atop his spectacular guitar performance.  I absolutely adore Fowler’s cover of Guy Clark’s fabulous story-telling song “The Guitar”.  It showcases his finger picking expertise very nicely.  “Some Things Change” is fantastic too.  With killer slide guitar from Fowler fueled by the smoldering sounds of harp, the song definitely cooks.  I dig the southern soul of “Wanda”.  Its Stax-meets-Fame vibe is dressed to the nines in a happy, funky groove.

The album closes with a joined-pair of tracks starting with “The Umbrella”, a spoken word selection of Fowler telling a story from his earlier days on tour.  His tale involves an encounter with a drunken fan in Prescott, Arizona, whose incessant request to hear the band play “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” leads to the final track on the album “Kick His Ass Out”.   

Constructed around the four musical corner stones of blues, country, rock, and soul, Alafia Moon sets a new benchmark for Damon Fowler.  It truly is an exceptional album.  

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.damonfowler.com

 

#423 : PhillyCheeze's 20 Favorites of 2019

 (in alphabetical order)

Vince Agwada - Light of Day

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/06/396-vince-agwada-light-of-day.html

BB King Blues Band - The Soul of the King

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/03/384-bb-king-blues-band-soul-of-king.html

Anthony Gomes - Peace, Love & Loud Guitars

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/01/371-anthony-gomes-peace-love-loud.html

Willie Farmer - The Man From the Hill

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/02/376-willie-farmer-man-from-hill.html

Robert Connely Farr - Dirty South Blues

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/391-robert-connely-farr-rebeltone-boys.html

Ghost Town Blues Band - Shine

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/09/410-ghost-town-blues-band-shine.html

Christone Kingfish Ingram - Kingfish

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/393-christone-kingfish-ingram-kingfish.html

BillyLee Janey - Blues Power

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/411-billylee-janey-blues-power.html

John Mayall - Nobody Told Me

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/02/373-john-mayall-nobody-told-me.html

Biscuit Miller - Chicken Grease

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/413-biscuit-miller-and-mix-chicken.html

Eliza Neals - Sweet or Mean

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/07/401-eliza-neals-sweet-or-mean.html

Sean Pinchin - Bad Things

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/05/390-sean-pinchin-bad-things.html

Johnny Rawls - I Miss Otis Clay

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/11/416-johnny-rawls-i-miss-otis-clay.html

Southbound Snake Charmers - To the Bone

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/10/414-southbound-snake-charmers-to-bone.html

Sugaray Rayford - Somebody Save Me

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/12/367-sugaray-rayford-somebody-save-me.html

J.P. Soars - Let Go of the Reins

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/09/408-jp-soars-let-go-of-reins.html

Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith and the House Bumpers - Drop the Hammer

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/04/385-kenny-beedy-eyes-smith-house.html

Alexis P. Suter Band - Be Love 

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/04/387-alexis-p-suter-band-be-love.html

Sean Taylor - The Path Into the Blue

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/06/394-sean-taylor-path-into-blue.html

Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues Vol 1

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/12/422-matty-t-wall-transpacific-blues-vol.html

#420 : The Paul DesLauriers Band - Bounce

2019 – Vizztone
By Phillip Smith; December 7, 2019

Bounce, the third and latest album from The Paul DesLauriers Band is filled to the brim with hot smoldering blues topped with DesLauriers’ soulful vocals.   It’s no wonder why this Montreal-based blues group has pulled down Entertainer of the Year twice at Canada’s Maple Blues Awards, and took second place at the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.  Guitarist/singer Paul DesLauriers leads this trio with Alec McElcheran on bass, and Sam Harrison on drums.  Bassist Greg Morency also appears on six of the thirteen tracks.    

I love the infectious guitar riff DesLauriers keeps churning on “Let Me Go Down in Flames”.  I’m easily drawn to the North Mississippi vibe emanating from it.  J.P. Soars notably appears on “Picked a Bad Day”, a killer song with a heavy-duty bass-line.  The dual guitars are searing.  PLB’s cover of Anthony ‘Duster’ Bennett’s “Jumpin’ at Shadows” is beautifully melodic.  They conjure up a big tasty helping of delta blues on “When the Darkness Comes” for another superb listen.  My favorite track on the album is “Loosy Goosy Jam #769”.  This cool-as-hell six and a half minute instrumental rides along an unstoppable driving rhythm, which DesLauriers slathers with his amazing guitar picking.  It’s absolutely fabulous.

Bounce is a must hear for blues fans.  DesLauriers and his band have set a new bar for themselves.  This really is a terrific listen.

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I reviewed PDB’s album, Relentless in 2016.  Click the following link to access it.    https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-paul-deslauriers-band-relentless.html


For more information about the artist, visit this website: https://www.pauldeslauriersband.com/

#408 : J.P. Soars - Let Go of the Reins

2019 – Whiskey Bayou Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 14, 2019

Produced by Tab Benoit, Let Go of the Reins delightfully highlights everything I like about the music of J.P. Soars : smokin’ guitar licks, hard-scrabble lyrics, and fearless vocals.  Soars, the Arkansas-based artist who won 1^st place at the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and pulled down the Albert King Award for best guitarist, rolls out his fifth solo studio album covered in hard-driving blues.  Soars steers the ship on vocals and guitars, with Chris Peet on bass guitar, Tab Benoit on drums, and Tillis Verdin on the Hammond B3.   

Soars begins the album with a jumpin’ cover of J.B. LeNoir’s “Been Down So Long”.  The fresh new arrangement absolutely cooks.  I love the swampy cover of the 1970 hit song “If You Wanna Get to Heaven”, by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.  Soars definitely makes this one his own.  I thoroughly enjoy his beautiful performance of Django Reinhardt’s intoxicating instrumental “Minor Blues” too. 

A wonderful deep dark groove, preceded by an ominous entrance, guides title-track “Let Go of the Reins” on its hypnotic path to a psychedelic finish.   Soars cut loose on his spirited tribute to Freddie King called “Freddie King Thing”.  It jams indeed.  “Lonely Fire” with its delicate melody and Spanish influence, is a song I simply adore.  

I highly recommend Let Go of the Reins.  It’s among the best albums I’ve heard this year.    

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : jpsoars.com  

John Pagano Band - One More Round

2017 –Midnight Circus Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug 5, 2017

It’s been just a little over two years since reviewing John Pagano’s tantalizing Live at Darwin’s album. At that time, he was going by JP Blues.  One More Round, his fifth album, and first under the new band name, is another extraordinary recording.  Still playing as a power trio with drummer Shiloh Bloodworth and bassist Tony Hossri, Pagano delivers eleven delicious new tracks to the table.

Pagano pours a double shot of swampilicious slide guitar into the boogie-laced drinking song “Bottoms Up”.  It is slathered and smothered in delicious greasy blues. “Trouble on Wheels” is another great high energy track to get the blood pumping.  His searing guitar licks shine though the rolling rhythm.    

Pagano reintroduces his cover of Hugo’s version of “99 Problems” which he had recorded earlier for his Live at Darwin’s record.  Pagano goes out of his way to make the new studio take sound amazing. It is fabulous indeed.  I’ll be cranking up the volume on “Catch That Train” too.  It’s a fearless Billy Gibbons-inspired rocker which perfectly closes out the album.

One More Round is so good; it’s hard to put down.  Pagano definitely scores again.           

  

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For my July 2015 review of JP Blues – Live at Darwin’s, click here .    

For more info on the John Pagano Band … http://johnpaganoband.com/

          

  

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Stat(u)e of Mind

2015 – Bafe’s Factory

By Phillip Smith; Jan 23, 2016

Stat(u)e of Mind , Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang’s fourteen track follow-up to their Hales Pleasure Railway album, sports even more innovative instrumentals than its predecessor.  I love the way their music takes a step off the beaten path to dissipate the boundary between Bluegrass and Jazz.  This innovative trio from Helsinki, Finland consists of guitarist Ville “Lefty” Leppänen (Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip), drummer Tero Mikkonen, and bassist JP Mönkkönen.  In September 2015, the band recorded Stat(u)e of Mind at Firebrand Recording Studio in St. Louis, Missouri, after accepting an invitation to perform at the 2015 International Steel Guitar Convention.

Mikkonen beautifully performs the opening song, “Gateway”, on ukulele.  Clocking in at just a smidge over a minute in length, this Hawaiian flavored appetizer makes for a lovely intro for the rest of the album.  Leppänen breaks out some fantastic swampy guitar licks on “Aloha Garage”.  This is one of my absolute favorites.  “Route 68” has a cool jazzy character.  Mikkonen and Mönkkönen keep the rhythm hip as Leppänen lets loose with an outstanding avant-garde performance.  Leppänen sets a melancholy mood for the lovely “Almost Too Beautiful” before taking me by surprise with “Duel”.  Without words, this instrumental is still able to tell a story.  The listener is marched in to this Latin infused masterpiece with a flurry of spaghetti-western/surf guitar.  The song takes an unexpected and marvelous turn the moment the horns pop.  This is such a killer track.  I like to think of the closing song, “Sergio” as a fantastic tribute and homage to legendary film director Sergio Leone and the man who scored the lion’s share of his films, composer Ennio Morricone.  The Morricone influence certainly shows.

It's really fresh to hear a band like Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang share their unique brand of music and captivating compositions.  Stat(u)e of Mind is abundantly full of character and a delightful listen.   

Robin Barrett & Coyote Kings - Howl / JPBlues - Live at Darwins

Coyote Kings   

Howl

2015 –Robin Barrett

By Phillip Smith; July 18, 2015

I always look forward to hearing from Robin Barrett and the Coyote Kings from Walla Walla, Washington.  Howl, the fourth installment from this Pacific Northwest band, contains a cache of smokin’ electrified blues.  Kicking off with title track, “Howl”. Barrett throws down the gauntlet, blasting crafty riffs of swampy goodness.  This one digs in deep, and I like it.  “Waiting to be Free”, is on top of my list of favorites as well. This one slows it down a notch, and Barrett’s guitar wails so beautifully.  Another track that puts a smile on my face is the Chuck Berry influenced “Jackhammer Slow Jammer”. It really gets the blood pumping. The most interesting and coolest track though, is “Party”, wherein Barrett blends funk with swamp blues. At times it reminds me of ZZ Top. Other tracks that surely deserve a mention are the eerie “Dark Dark Night”, and “Crazy in the Head”, a track that takes me back to the Eighties, listening to Timbuk 3’s “Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”. 

JP Blues   

Live at Darwin’s

2015 –Midnight Circus Records

By Phillip Smith; July 18, 2015

One listen to his latest album, Live at Darwin’s is all it takes to understand why John “JP Blues” Pagano is rapidly rising up in the ranks of blues guitarists.  This sizzling guitar virtuoso is joined by bassist Tony Hossri and drummer Shiloh Bloodworth to make one killer blues trio.  I love the gritty and swampy “Old Man Joe”.  This quick paced track reminds me so much of my favorite Southern Rock band, Black Oak Arkansas, down to the Jim Dandy-styled vocals. I had to stop and think a while the first time I heard JP’s rendition of Jay Z’s “99 Problems”.  It was so interesting and quite the unexpected treat to hear this rap song played so bluesy. JP pours his soul out in “Another Time, Another Place”.  From a calming and beautiful beginning, the song builds traction, gaining speed until an explosive battleground of pure guitar expressionism is reached.  But wait, there’s more.  The finale “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” dishes out nearly ten minutes of unadulterated blues and ferocious jams.  JP’s guitar playing on this track is simply amazing.  It doesn’t matter who moved your cheese, this is where it’s at.     

Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots - Boom Town

2015 –Blind Pig Records

By Phillip Smith; July 4, 2015

Boom Town, the latest release from Victor Wainwright and the Wildroots, is chockfull of boogie-laced blues and tasty jams.  Wainwright, who rightfully claimed the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year for 2013 and 2014, leads this fantastic eight person band called, the Wildroots through thirteen spirited New Orleans flavored selections. Hearing him rip into the piano while laying down a truck load of boogie woogie on “Two Lane Blacktop Revisited” will leave no doubt why he pulled down that award twice already.  

It’s amazing to hear the different directions to which Wainwright can take his voice.  From a comforting tone, in the spiritually moving “When the Day is Done”, to being bad-ass and sinister, in “Reapers on the Prowl”, where he goes all “Wolfman Jack” in his conversation with the Grim Reaper.  Guitarist JP Soars, fellow Southern Hospitality collaborator with Wainwright is a guest performer on “The Devils Bite”, a Cab Calloway influenced tune.  This dark and rootsy track brings to mind Nick Cave’s Murder Ballads album.

The slow and easy “WildRoot Farm” makes for a cool little duet featuring Patricia Ann Dees.  This one will have you on the front porch sipping iced tea on a hot summer day, taking in the aromas of a freshly prepared southern style dinner. Stephen Kampa rolls out a sweet harmonica accompaniment which totally sets that laid-back mood.     

BoomTown culminates into an amazing instrumental jam at the end with “WildRoot Rumble”.  This is my favorite track on the album, and I play it loud.  Stephen Dees and Nick Black bring it on with rambling guitars, Kampa kills it on harmonica, Billy Dean keeps the furious beat going on drums, and Wainwright pounds the hell out of the piano. This is what it’s all about!     

For more information about Victor Wainwright visit his website at http://victorwainwright.com/

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Hale’s Pleasure Railway

2014 – Bafe’s Factory

By Phillip Smith; Sep 21, 2014

Hales’s Pleasure Railway, from the Finnish trio, Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, is an interesting roots music album with a heavy jam band appeal.  Ville “Lefty” Leppänen, guitarist for Micke Bjorklof & BlueStrip, breaks out his lap and pedal steel guitars to join forces with drummer Tero Mikkonen, bassist JP Mönkkönen , and special guest organist/backing vocalist Jukka Haikonen for a stripped down, in-studio recording of eleven original “twangfully” terrific songs, most of which happen to be instrumentals.

Swampy cowboy-western “Open Field” is thick with steel guitar.  Taking a curious twist midway, Leppänen mysteriously captures the essence of the Grateful Dead with a very-Jerry Garcia inspired journey on lead guitar.  Afterward, the listener is dropped off into a funky little danceable track called “Bayou” which has a fun and infectiously swampy Louisiana-flavored groove.  Perfectly fitted to be on anyone’s tiki party playlist is “Secret Sunset”.  This Hawaiian themed track puts a smile on my face every time it’s heard. 

Leppänen creates an aura of hipness in the ultra-cool, “Bad Alley”, with haunting guitar riffs, like those of Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat. I absolutely love this style of playing.  Slowing things down a bit is “Red”, steeped in a tasty brew of jazz, and sweetened with the resin of Pink Floyd’s very early years. “Dark C”, a monster of a song, rocks out like Primus with a heavy bass line, industrial beats, and funky grooves. 

I really like the way Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, surrounded in the spirit of early country & western music, brings with it, the delightful art of the jam.  That, along with a few contemporary influences, makes Hale’s Pleasure Railway a vibrant enjoyable listen from start to finish.