2025 – Pugnacious Records
By Phillip Smith; Mar. 1, 2025
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I first became aware of Dean
Zucchero through his work on Ghalia Volt’s Let the Demons Out
and her One Woman Band albums. It was Zucchero’s Electric
Church for the Spiritually Misguided which really brought him into the
forefront of my awareness. His talents as a songwriter and bass player are
strongly coupled with his talents for song arrangement and music production. Zucherro’s
latest release Song For the Sinners serves up a luscious feast of a
dozen blues-soaked tracks. The record features an amazing list of guests such
as Jimmy Vivino, Johnny Burgin, Bobby Rush, Victor
Wainwright, Albert Castiglia, Little Freddie King, Mike Zito,
John Nemeth, John Boutté, Tiffany Pollack, Glen David
Andrews, Sean Riley, Ron Hotstream, Jake Eckert, and Jerry
Dugger.
Zucchero leads the album off in a blast of heavy blues-rock with “Biting Through”. With Vivino on the mic, lead and rhythm guitar, along with Burgin on second rhythm guitar, this searing track oozes with true grit, reminiscent of bands like Mountain and Blue Cheer. The funky blues of “South Side” draws me in with a welcoming New Orleans-flavored groove and keeps me tuned in with its depiction of the city’s warzones overrun by pushers and criminals. Topped with the brassy sounds of The Roadmasters’ Horn Section and the whisky-soaked vocals from Andrews, this track is indeed a favorite. Another standout selection is the folk-blues track called “Lullaby” with Dugger on vocals, Rush on harmonica, and Eckert on dobro/electric guitar. This ode to making through the night brings to mind the writings of Taj Mahal. Castiglia and Pollack are paired for the glorious duet “Shine”. Pollack’s voice is absolutely illuminating and Castiglia also joins on lead guitar culminating in a free-wheeling Grateful Dead-like jam. Unspeakable acts and an unescapable situation result in a girl’s dire fate in “Suicide For Jesus”. Hotstream, on acoustic guitar and vocals, beautifully performs this melancholy song in troubadour fashion.
The depth that Zucchero goes to in developing his songs is a stand-out reason I admire his work. From the very first listen, Song For the Sinners had my full attention. I highly recommend this record.
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