Rhythm & Booze An online music webzine created by music lovers for music lovers.

14 January, 2015

Justin Townes Earle-Absent Fathers

Filed under: acoustic,americana,country,Recorded Reviews,rock,roots — Tags: absent fathers, justin townes earle, new album — willmunn @ 11:53

In recent months Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle’s stock seems to be on the rise, he released the critically acclaimed (and rightfully so), Single Mothers album, performed across the globe and has now returned with a brand new album, Absent Fathers.

The album was recorded at the same time as Single Mothers in view to the completed project being released as a double album, but as Justin began to sequence the tracks he felt that each half deserved to make their own statement and decided to split the two releases and deliver them a few months apart.

Obviously with the two albums being recorded at the same time, with the same line-up, sound wise they compliment one another quite beautifully, they both have that stunning blend of country, soul and understated rock and lyrically they both share that same autobiographical nature, where Justin lays bare his soul, his upbringing, love and loss on the duo’s confessional tales.

Single Mothers became something of a mainstay of my recent playlist and Absent Fathers is almost certain to much the same. From the opening Farther From Me, Justin captivates, his rich soulful tones tumble from the speakers over a wonderful slow and winding country-tinged ballad, featuring twanging guitars and an instantly infectious shuffling beat, from their pedal steel joins on the gorgeous, aching Americana of Why.

Least I Got The Blues, is a stripped back, world-weary country blues number featuring Justin’s voice over a sparse mix of strummed acoustic guitar and pedal steel, Earle sounds weathered and almost beaten as he delivers a delightfully fragile vocal. Elsewhere Day And Night is another beautiful, subtle, candlelit country soul number, where you can hear the emotion in Justin’s voice as he pours his heart out, both Round The Bend and Someone Will Pay showcase a rougher rock n’ roll edge, but yet despite the more upbeat sound he still unveils lyrical barbed couplets (Round The Bend) such as “And your momma’s only boy, your daddy’s only shame” alluding to his upbringing and absent father. 

Absent Fathers much like its predecessor showcases a singer-songwriter very much at the top of his game, there’s no flashy arrangements or unnecessary flourishes, just stark, poetic portraits, compelling tales and Justin Townes Earle’s evocative worn vocals, stunning, simple and unforgettable.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.justintownesearle.com

 

16 October, 2014

Danny & The Champions Of The World-Live Champs!

Filed under: acoustic,americana,Blog,country,folk,Recorded Reviews,rock n roll,roots,soul — Tags: danny and the champions of the world, live champs, new album — willmunn @ 19:27

A few years back I got to see Danny & The Champions Of The World perform at a small basement club in Cheltenham (Subtone) supporting their recently released album, Hearts And Arrows, the band were a revelation, the album was damn good, but the live experience was on another level completely. That night the band blended rootsy Americana with soul and the rock ‘n’ roll attitude of Springsteen, every song hit the mark, every morsel lapped up by an audience at fever pitch and even now I’d regard it as one of the best gigs I’ve attended among literally hundreds over the years.

So when the chance popped up to review a double live album (recorded this year at the Jazz Cafe, Camden) by Danny George Wilson and maverick band, I leapt at the chance to don my headphones and disappear into a world of stripped down rock, strummed acoustics, parping sax, rich harmonies and pedal steel guitar.

The album opens with the band building up a wall of sound before dropping down to a  gorgeous slice of drums and pedal steel guitar before Danny delivers his gorgeous folky (Dylan-esque) croon. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket is a glorious opener, instantly showcasing that rich and rootsy sound that could hark straight out of Woodstock (think the organic sounds of The Band!!). only with an additional inspired sax solo, stretching the sound into a cosmic soul direction.

Cold Cold World follows, adding vocal harmonies to an already potent sound creating a 60’s pop feel, whilst the combination of the aforementioned pedal steel and acoustic guitar keep the rootsy sound very much at the forefront. Let’s Grab This With Both Hands is a stunning soul number with Danny really letting his expressive voice go over rolling beats and horns that could have been lifted from a best of Stax compilation, highlighting those various influences that make Danny & The Champions Of The World such an experience.

The first CD continues in much the same vein, stripped down Americana colliding with big soul and timeless rock ‘n’ roll effortlessly, from the rousing, eleven minutes plus of Colonel & The King with it’s “Elvis is a flaming star” refrain and squalling electric guitar and sax solo’s to the organ drenched, country soul of  Darlin’ Won’t You Come In From The Cold, to the band’s tale of the road and firm fan favourite, Henry The Van, a gorgeous folk lament of touring and the band’s old mode of transportation, which even had me singing-along months later in the comfort of home.

The second CD opens with a pounded beat, those stunning pedal steel tones and a quite breathtaking twelve minute plus take on Other Days that again showcases the depth and musicality of the band’s sound, with each of the members of the Champions being allowed to express themselves, whilst Danny introduces the band.

From there the band take it home with a further five tracks that simply blow your socks off, beginning with the one-two winning combo of Every Beat Of My Heart and You Don’t Know (My Heart is In The Right Place) where the band unveil their inner E-Street Band fantasies with a couple of slabs of prime time, driving rock ‘n’ roll that’ll have the most restrained music fan punching the air in salute.

The band could have finished there, but no, Danny and the boys somehow muster the energy to unleash a thirteen minute take on Restless Feet with support act for the night, Trevor Moss and Hannah Lou joining the band for additional vocal harmonies whilst the band weave their magic, with thrilling solos and driving riffs aplenty (checkout the stunning sax solo by Geoff Widowson). whilst the crowd show their appreciation clapping, hollering and crooning along gleefully.

There’s still time for a show stopping encore of Been There Before and a wonderfully ragged, stop-start, grand finale of These Days (again assisted by Trevor and Hannah on vocal duties) leaving the crowd (and me) baying for yet more.

Live Champs is a mind-blowing live album, the band are in glorious form throughout, Danny’s vocals are incredible from folky croon to soulful holler, whilst the song selection highlights the rich and varied sound of the band’s back catalogue. As for production, well it’s so crisp, you can almost smell the cider from the punter by the bar, few live albums truly capture a live atmosphere, but this one does and then some, it leaves you elated, drained and desperate for a repeat performance, like all memorable gigs do.

If you buy one live album, no scrap that one album period, this year make it Live Champs, the perfect document of the best live act in the UK right now.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.dannyandthechamps.com

4 September, 2014

Larkin Poe-Kin

Filed under: alternative,americana,blues,pop,Recorded Reviews,rock — Tags: kin, larkin poe, new album — willmunn @ 15:11

Larkin Poe are Atlanta based, sisterly duo, Rebecca And Megan Lovell who are distantly related to wordsmith Edgar Allen Poe (their great, great, great, great grandfather Larkin Poe was a distant cousin to Edgar) hence the chosen monicker. Along with the name nodding back to the past, musically the duo’s debut album also has something of a retro sound, hailing back to an era of mega-selling classic rock (Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, The Band etc), which may surprise a few long-term fans following a plethora of more rustic EP releases.

The album opens with the high spirited bluesy stomp of Jailbreak, which serves as a stunning state of intent featuring rolling rhythms, infectious riffs, rich harmonies and a beautiful, yet gritty lead vocal, that instantly grabs you by the lapel and squeezes tight until the end of the duration of the track. From the powerful opener, Larkin Poe continue to thrill a delicious swaggering riff, a hook-laden chorus and those undeniable poppy harmonies on the equally glorious Don’t.

From there the band continue to weave a mesmeric spell with tough rockers and brooding ballads. Stubborn Love hints at the band’s previous rootsy feel complete with mandolin and lap steel prominent in the evocative mix alongside a lovely shaken percussion assisted groove and a delightful cooed lead vocal. Either Dandelion or Elephant could be Larkin Poe’s big breakthrough song, both have something of a modern r&b feel, with the former a brooding ballad, whilst the latter could be a genuine dance-floor filler with it’s punchy rhythm and the Lovell sisters delivering a massive vocal hook chorus that’s crying out to be reverberating out the biggest PA possible.

Jesse sounds like it could be influenced by those classic Parisian chansons, as the band create a magnetic swirling European 60’s groove whilst the sisterly duo deliver a sensual and passionate vocal (though without the French accent!!!) that has something of a timeless feel, whilst album closer, Overachiever is a beautiful conclusion to the album, piano led harmony enriched ballad that truly wrenches at the heartstrings.

Kin is a varied, compelling debut by a band that have explored and expanded their sound to create something that’s very special indeed, I urge you to discover the new expansive sound of the incredible Larkin Poe.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.larkinpoe.com

 

 

28 August, 2014

Blind River Scare-Point Of No Return

Filed under: acoustic,americana,country,Recorded Reviews — Tags: blind river scare, New EP, point of no return — willmunn @ 09:41

Blind River Scare are a South Wales based four-piece that play a combination of original Americana and alternative country. The band have been playing live around the area whilst honing their sound.

Point Of No Return is a six track self-released EP that showcases their brand of back-porch roots, combining acoustic guitars with Pedal and Lap steel to create a warm and inviting sound, whilst frontman, Tim Manning delivers a fine country-tinged drawl that instantly grabs the attention, whilst his lyrics draw the listener further into their evocative mix.

The EP opens with the title track and instantly showcases the band’s alternative country credentials with an instantly infectious rolling rhythm and that aforementioned delightful combination of lap steel and acoustic guitar. The track moves along at a fair old pace and hints at the dusty Texan border with it’s almost Calexico like use of drum and bass, whilst the story compels and encourages the listener onwards.

Whether you enjoy the follow up track, Could I Be A Different Man would be down to personal taste, I’m not a big traditional country fan so to be honest despite a decent vocal and some nice harmonies, the track leaves me a little cold, as it’s all a little to slow and safe for my liking. Third track Gideon appeals a great deal more, with it’s (for the most part) solo acoustic guitar and weathered vocals, whilst the lyrics again capture the imagination and when the twanging pedal steel joins it peppers the track as opposed to dragging it down that tried and tested traditional route.

No Remorse, Guilt Or Shame sees the band at their most musically muscular with loads of tasty finger plucking complimenting the strummed acoustic wonderfully, whilst Damage Is Done begins as a stripped down affair complete with a wonderful warm and weary vocal, a harmony enriched chorus and a welcome change of pace during a short yet infectious middle section.

Overall Point Of No Return is an interesting and often contagious showcase of Blind River Scare, Tim’s vocals and lyrics are for the most part slow burning, rich and welcoming whilst the band create a tasteful country backing, if you want something raw and ragged look elsewhere but if you want to hear well played inviting roots you’ll find a great deal to admire about Blind River Scare.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 7

www.blindriverscare.co.uk

31 July, 2014

Various Artists-Bob Dylan In The 80’s Volume One

Filed under: acoustic,alternative,americana,blues,compilation,country,folk,indie,R&B / Soul,Recorded Reviews,reggae,rock,rock n roll,roots,singer-songwriter — Tags: blitzen trapper, bob dylan in the 80's, Bonnie Prince Billy, Built To Spill, Carl Broemel, craig finn, Dawn Landes, Deer Tick, Elvis Perkins, Glan Hansard, Langhorne Slim, lucius, new album, Reggie Watts, various artists — willmunn @ 12:36

Here’s a somewhat strange concept, a covers album of Bob Dylan in what, most people would declare, the poets weakest era (Bob suffered both critically and commerically throughout the decade!!), in fact most music fans maybe fairly ignorant to the majority of Dylan’s 80’s output with the likes of Saved, Knocked Out Loaded and Infidels barely registering on all but the hardened Dylan fans radars.

However producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes, Papa) have set about addressing the forgotten era of Dylan by collaborating with a number of artists and Dylan fans to showcase what you may have been missing.

The album not only is an awareness raising affair for Dylan of the 80’s but also set’s to help raise funds for a fantastic charity, Pencils Of Promise (an organization that builds schools and eductational opportunities in the developing world) by donating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this album. a win-win situation where purchasers are introduced to some brilliant music and give to the needy.

The compilation itself features a number of big names from the aforementioned Elvis Perkins to Deer Tick, Slash, Craig Finn (Hold Steady) and Dawn Landes & Bonnie “Prince” Billy among others all delivering rousing performances and highlighting the pen of Bob Dylan in the forgotten decade.

The album open’s with a gloriously ramshackle, rustic rendition of Got My Mind Made Up (from Knocked Out Loaded) by Langhorne Slim & The Law who weld together boogie woogie piano, handclaps, strummed acoustics and a raw, rousing,  infectious vocal delivery that sets the mood brilliantly. From there on in we’re treated to a variety of styles and approaches as the various artists reintrupt to their own strengths.

Highlights come thick and fast, from the likes of the gorgeous blissed out soul/reggae version of Brownsville Girl (Knocked Out Loaded) by Reggie Watts, the aforementioned Craig Finn with a brilliant piano led (Springsteen-esque) Sweetheart Like You (Infidels), the twanging country of Ivan & Alyosha’s You Changed By Life (Shot Of Love Outtakes), the beautiful folk lament of Dawn Landes & Bonnie Prince Billy’s understated Dark Eyes (Empire Burlesque) and the glorious alternative indie and muted horn assisted Series Of Dreams (Oh Mercy Outtakes) by Yellowcard. Whilst there’s no way you can review this album without mentioning the wonderfully the ahem, more warped, percussion friendly version of Waiting To Get Beat (Empire Burlesque) by Tea Leaf Green and the insane take on Wiggle Wiggle (Under The Red Sky) by Aaron Freeman (Ween) & Slash, which quite frankly has to be heard to be believed.

The seventeen track affair (24 if you manage to track down the deluxe vinyl edition with the bonus download code) is intriguing, captivating and at times surreal journey through the lesser acclaimed works by the most important songwriter born of this world. And if, as the album’s title suggests this only the first volume, sign me up for the subsequent releases now!!

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

 

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