#656 : GeminiiDragon - 3 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Lighting in a Bottle Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 20, 2024

Release Date : Feb 1, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Louisiana-based GeminiiDragon has been on a roll for the past couple of years.  She released her first two albums in 2022, both of which grabbed my attention in a most positive way.  Her third and latest album, appropriately titled 3, continues to keep me tuned-in and turned-on with eleven all-original power-blues-rock tracks.  Jessica Harper aka GeminiiDragon and guitarist Christian Simeon share writing credits on every song.  The rhythm section behind GeminiiDragon and Simeon is comprised of bassist Douglas Varnado Jr., drummer Eric Sasser and Malaysia Lewis on vibraphone.  The record also features special appearances by Chad Rupp on harmonica and TJ Wong on guitar.

An infectious opening riff on “I Wanna Know” effortlessly pulls me right in to a powerful guitar-laced anthem where the chords seem to hang in mid-air.  In an amazing way, it creates a magical wave of sound for GeminiiDragon’s vocals to surf atop.  I love how Simeon turns the energy up to eleven on the front-end of “Clowns” as he delivers a Collective Soul-friendly axe-groove.  GeminiiDragon dives into Tina Turner mode with her voice as it melds with the Simeon’s sonic tones on “Wasted Time”.  “Cherokee” draws me in with its pop-punk center and southern-rock- flavored musical snippets.  The Seventies rock foundation Simeon pours for “A Fool For You” makes for a solid as hell track.  The song momentarily takes a dip into a pocket of psychedelia and fills me with delight.  “Last Train to Thibodaux” is a track I listen to repeatedly.  Its ethereal melody brings the blues into the world of emo.  It sounds new and sounds great.

GeminiiDragon’s 3 is an album that has tremendous appeal and hits all the right notes.  I like this one a lot. 

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For more information about this artist, visit https://geminiidragon.bandcamp.com/music

This album available to purchase on Bandcamp.

Check out other PhillyCheeze review for GeminiiDragon : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Geminiidragon

#589 > GeminiiDragon - Equinox (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2022 – Nepotism Recordings

Release Date: Feb 1, 2023

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 18, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Equinox, the follow-up album to GeminiiDragon’s earlier release this year Fighting Fire With Fire continues to rock out with music fortified with a heaping helping of funk, soul, and blues.  Lead vocalist Jessica Harper and guitarist Christian Simeon absolutely shine as writing partners on this ten-track recording of all original songs.  Harper and Simeon are joined by bassist Dougie V, drummer E Sass, and backing vocalist La La Thomas. 

A rocking beat and funky bassline build the way for “Sister Switchblade” to bash the front gates of the record open.  This song is a wonderful amalgam of Seventies rock and hot buttered soul.  It’s nicely wrapped in Harper’s fearless vocals and Simeon’s searing guitar licks.  “Ballad of Willie Mae & George”, the first single off the record, is a brilliant slice of southern blues-rock.  Harper and Thomas’s vocal chemistry shine as the infectious rhythm takes hold.  “Rusty Gun” is badass from start to finish.  The song’s dangerous, mean-streets personality is woven tightly into its power-rock riffs.  “Good Thang” is slathered in a funky rhythm served ala Bob Seger’s “Come to Poppa”, and it’s delightfully wonderful.     

GeminiiDragon continues to fascinate me with Equinox.  Their approach to music is fresh and invigorating.  They definitely have a unique style, and that’s a ‘good thang’.   

          

 

PhillyCheeze Review #551, GeminiiDragon – Fighting Fire with Fire           

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/04/phillycheezebluesblogspotcom-551.html

 

 

For more information about GeminiiDragon, or to order Equinox, visit their Bandcamp page: https://geminiidragonblues.bandcamp.com/album/equinox

PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com #551 > GeminiiDragon - Fighting Fire with Fire

 

2021 – Nepotism Recordings

By Phillip Smith; April 16, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

The bluesy hard-edged grooves and hearty power-filled vocals stand front-and-center on Fighting Fire With Fire, the latest release from Louisiana recording artist Jessica Harper aka GeminiiDragon.  Undoubtedly, that’s the winning combination which immediately drew my attention to this record.  This all-original album hosts eight splendid tracks co-written with producer/guitarist Christian Simeon.  With Harper behind the mic, and Simeon on guitar, the rest of the band is comprised of bassist Danny Woolen and drummer Kash Carlsson.    

With an infectious rhythm running through it, title-track “Fighting Fire with Fire” kicks the album off with an Eighties-era vibe in a delicious musical cocktail of new-wave soul.  “Just the Way it is” leans in a little heavier as Simeon throws in harder, groovier riffs, and Harper demonstrates her vocal mastery and range.  “Huh Huh Huh” is a genuinely cool track too.  As Carlsson lays down a very danceable Seventies disco beat, GeminiiDragon channels her inner Tina Turner, with Simeon taking a more industrial approach on guitar.  It sounds great.  When it comes to straight-up blues, “Woman Scorned” is absolutely fabulous.  I love Harper’s little growls she peppers into the song.  Like those classic Led Zeppelin tracks we so adore, “Blacktop Good Man” rolls in like thunder before a storm.  GeminiiDragon’s fearless approach on vocals conjure a huge rock-star presence as Simeon is there to back her all the way on guitar.  It’s definitely an amazing song.  The comradery between Harper and the band shines bright on “Badder Than Eva” as they bring the album to its close.  The stripped-down instrumentation and the whisky-soaked vocal runs transport me right to the heart of the Mississippi delta. 

Fighting Fire With Fire is one of those albums which captivated me at first listen, and kept me completely engaged until the end.  I’m looking forward already to GeminiiDragon’s next release.  

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     Just the Way It Is  (Offical Video)

Huh Huh Huh (Official Video)