Title: This Land (Warner Bros. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Gales, Walter Trout, Jimi Hendrix
Tell me more: A number of years ago genre-busting blues-rock great Walter Trout told this writer that if blues music was to survive and thrive that artists would have to continually push the boundaries of the genre forward. Listening to the latest masterwork from Austin-born singer-songwriter/guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. is to hear how right Trout was; across the brilliant This Land the GRAMMY Award-winning artist proves the secret of keeping blues alive and relevant comes via stunning musical excellence and a forceful ability to tap into real world experience to keep it all real. The rousing title track that leads off the 17-track disc is aimed squarely at President Trump and modern-day racism as Clark sings "Fuck you, I'm America's son / This is where I come from," before reinforcing his resolve "This land is mine." The song's explosive finale features a mix of gospel vocals and fiery guitar work. Other songs extol a spirit of self-discovery (notably "I Walk Alone" and "Low Down Rolling Stone") that is never less than inspired. Elsewhere, Clark taps into more gentle regions of his world; the retro-styled soul gem "When I'm Gone" and beautiful R&B ballad "Pearl Cadillac" are among my favorites. It doesn't hurt that Clark can play his guitar as well as any blues rocker today and can sing with the force of Sam Cooke one moment and soulful grace of a young Al Green the next. Information: GaryClarkJr.com.
Title: Walkin' Shoes (PoMo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Shooter Jennings
Tell me more: Listening to singer-songwriter Ted Russell Kamp's new LP Walkin' Shoes is to be swept up in the artist's life spent playing music and touring the world in search – and celebration – of the perfect show. The original songs splashed across the album capture the freewheeling lifestyle of a career musician. Tracks such as "Home Away From Home," "Paid By the Mile," "This Old Guitar" and "Highway Whisper" evoke the reflective experience of life spent on the road. The rowdy countrified rocker "Tail Light Shine," yearning Americana ballad "Freeway Mona Lisa" and joyful Southern rocker "Roll On Through the Night" bolster the road-ready mindset chronicled on the terrific Walkin' Shoes. Kamp uses his wide range of bona fide talents on bass, guitar, keyboards, horns and percussion in support of his resonant baritone vocals on the outstanding 13-song release. Information: TedRussellKamp.com.
Title: Rusty Nail (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Robert Johnson, Son House
Tell me more: This week will see the release of a deluxe, expanded 30th anniversary reissue of blues master Leroy Jodie Pierson's 1988 Rusty Nail. Lovers of traditional Delta blues and modern Americana will all find reasons to love this outstanding disc, which features a mix of reworked classics and original material performed by Pierson, Geoffrey Sietz (drums, fiddle) and Russell Horneyer (bass). Among the great Pierson-penned cuts on the disc are the uptempo title track, slide guitar-adorned "Long Lonesome Road" and tradition-minded "Easy Rider." His approach in revisiting his own heroes' work reaches its wonderful zenith on versions of Mississippi Fred McDowell's "Highway 61" and "Write Me a Few Lines." Pierson's shining fretwork astounds on the instrumental "Mole's Moan." Among the previously-unreleased bonus tracks is a joyful take on Eddie Cochran's "Twenty Flight Rock" and his own rockabilly-tinged standout "Far and Wide." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
As always - great write ups and new things to dive into.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert!