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

13 February, 2015

Marcus Bonfanti-Borrowed Time

Filed under: acoustic,blues,Recorded Reviews — Tags: Borrowed Time, marcus bonafanti, New EP — willmunn @ 13:04

 

‘Borrowed Time’, Marcus Bonfanti EP, 6 track

Borrowed Time, is a collection of songs, performed in a solo acoustic style. The plan was to record during the quiet month of December 2014, when demand for gigs and sessions, unexpectedly eroded possible studio time. As a result, this EP was laid down in a tight, single day of recording, at Abbey Road Studios. ”If you really want to get something done, you’ll get it done. Sometimes you just need that small window of Borrowed Time”.

3 tracks are written by Marcus, 2 with long time collaborator Jake Field, the other track is a traditional song, arranged by Marcus. That traditional song is ‘John Henry‘, the story of the steel worker outworking the machine, but then lays down his hammer and dies. Many have covered it, this is every bit as good as any out there, the lone guitar accompaniment, seems to make it more poignant than most. ‘Layla’, is not that of Clapton fame, its co-written with Field, a lament for a girl in the company of strangers, never finding true love. A tale laid out, over a country riff played out on guitar.

A gruff edge to an already dark voice, ups the tempo slightly for a girl who takes, ‘All She Ever Wants‘, and then moves on, edgy brusque lyrics lend a bit of bite to this song, Marcus at his expressive best, pushed along by the chords underneath. A solid blues riff sets the scene for ‘Snowflake‘, an unlikely title, a reflection on life passing, but again Marcus drives the song along with urging guitar notes under his vocals. A slower ballad follows, ‘Don’t Make Me Miss You‘, has an almost sombre hymnal feel. A Southern country blues, carries the final track ‘The Death Of Me‘, prepared to put everything on line for the sake of the girl, and is jointly written with Jake Field.

Throughout this EP, the well crafted lyrics stand out, Marcus has consistently produced good strong songs, which are performed adeptly on his acoustic guitar. What really makes the difference between this and many other artists writing and producing music, is the voice Marcus Bonfanti has been gifted with, a deep, dark, smoked and sometimes down right gruff ‘instrument’. Like Marmite, no doubt it can be a love/hate thing, Marmite still sells well, especially to people with taste! There is no doubting Marcus’s qualities as a guitarist, the web of chords and plucked notes are perfectly balanced, a fine frame on which is layered the powerful preachings of that distinctive voice. Songs written from life’s experiences, as all the best are, performed with a love for his music, this CD is well worth looking for, but you will have to go to a live show to be able to get one. The recording is excellent, as you would expect from Abbey Road Studios, what could be better than to hear Marcus live, and then take home a superb, well produced and packaged, sample of his talents. This EP will sit very comfortably next to his acclaimed album. It reflects his recognition as the Best Acoustic Artist award presented in 2013 and 2014 British Blues Awards, with Ian Seigal and Babajack as runners up, I think that says everything.

 

Words & Photo Graham Munn

14 November, 2014

Andy Fairweather Low & Lowriders-Zone-O-Tone

Filed under: blues,Recorded Reviews,rock n roll — Tags: andy fairweather low, new album, zone-o-tone — willmunn @ 21:11

Andy Fairweather Low has done it all in music, a guitarist (and frontman with Amen Corner) with a CV that includes stints with the likes of Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Bill Wyman, sessions with everyone from Dylan to The Bee Gees via BB King and Kate Bush to name but a handful, as well the sessions and countless tours with a who’s who of rock royalty Andy also finds time to regularly perform and record with his own band The Lowriders, so just how he’s still managed to remain under the radar of most music fans is one of the modern mysteries of the world.

Zone-O-Tone is Andy and the aforementioned Lowriders latest album and once again showcases Andy’s varied musical loves from upbeat rock n roll to slow jazz and 50’s styled crooners. The album is a varied affair but the quality never once dips with Andy and his band on top form throughout despite their advanced years.

The album opens with the wonderfully spirited Dance On, a glorious slice of infectious rock n roll complete with an instantly memorable riff and a spritely vocal delivery as the extended band kick up a storm propelling the number onwards. From there the band deliver a couple of slower number in the shape of Deep River Blues and the jazzy Let Me Be Your Angel with Andy’s warm weathered croon (think modern day Nick Lowe) shining brightly before returning to their early rock n rolls roots with the brilliant hook-laden Roll Ya Activator.

The album continues in much the same vein with highlights coming thick and fast in the shape of the ballsy blues rock of Breakin’ Chains with its combination of hard hitting riffs, parping horns, driving rhythms and a gloriously ragged lead vocal, La La Music is a swinging rock number with pulsating horns, crunchy rock n roll riffs and a suitably bolshy vocal that could have been lifted straight from the pages of The Blues Brothers script. Whilst You’ll Never Beat The Devil combines an infectious blues riff and Paul Carrack’s addictive Hammond organ to create a brilliant, blustery blues number featuring the devil himself on backing vocals!!

Zone-O-Tone continues Andy’s rich legacy as one of the nations most underrated hard working blues/rock n roll crooners out there, the intoxicating varied mix of genres compels throughout, Andy’s voice is as strong as ever whether he’s delivering a delicate croon or a full throttle rocker, whilst the musicianship on offer from Fairweather Low and The Low Riders is second to none. Perhaps Zone-O-Tone will finally help Andy Fairweather Low receive the recognition he so richly deserves.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.andyfairweatherlow.com

Competition: I have three copies of Zone-O-Tone to give away for those of you that can answer the following question:-

What was the name of Andy’s first solo album released in 1974?

Email your answers and name and address to [email protected] (before Nov. 30th) winners will be picked at random

29 October, 2014

Biscuithead & The Biscuit Badgers-Tweed Jacket

Filed under: blues,comedy,jazz,Recorded Reviews — Tags: Biscuithead And The Biscuit Badgers, new single, tweed jacket — willmunn @ 16:18

Ever song a love song to your favourite garment? you know one of those made up laments about how much you love that comfortable, shapeless jumper that you should have cast out years ago, but you just can’t bring yourself to chuck, or those garish leggings you once wore when you were into hair rock all those many years ago? No? well maybe you don’t need that jumper or whatever quite as much as you think you do.

You see Biscuithead & The Biscuit Badgers know exactly how to tread their threads and in this case a tweed jacket, the singer serenades that jacket, knowing just how damn cool he looks and just how versatile that jacket is, not only does he croon his love for the jacket, he then asks his mates to play a combination of tuba, drums and twanging guitar in a 50’s style to create a swaying lament that really conveys his love .

By now you may have come to conclusion that Biscuithead and the boys may not be the most serious of artists, but I think you might be missing the point, you see jacket (or anything other garment for that matter) love is a serious subject and only a band like the Biscuit Badgers can really convey that message of love.

If you love your jacket, partial to a bit of 50’s music hall jazz and enjoy a good old croon I suggest like me you become a friend of the Biscuit Badgers and that enigmatic crooner and well attired young man Biscuithead and sing out about those tattered old white jeans hidden away in your wardrobe.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

www.biscuithead.co.uk

23 October, 2014

Stompin’ On Spiders-Blacklisted

Filed under: blues,folk,Recorded Reviews,roots — Tags: Blacklisted, new album, Stompin' On Spiders — willmunn @ 15:48

Stompin’ On Spiders are a three-piece hailing from in and around hte Malvern area, the foundations of the band first formed back in 2009 and since then the band have become main stays of the Worcester music scene as well as regularly venturting out of the counties boundaries, during the band’s life span they’ve previously released a couple of well received albums, whilst individual members of the band have also been seen treading the boards with the likes of Highway 5, Stripped Down Bluies and The Cowley Cowboys among others.

Blacklisted, the band’s third album sees the band expand their number and indeed, with the addition of Mark Miletech on double bass and Debbie Robinson, who adds some celtic harp on a bluesy mellow track during the album.

Now before I delve into the music itself, I must quickly mention hte packaging of the new album, the release itself found it’s way to me as a wonderfully presented credit card like USB that features the album, a video and a promo pic, all complimented by a nice looking booklet that features an introduction to the band, lyrics and song explanations, etc. The format is innovative and very welcome in my book, it’s really nice to see a band push the boundaries with presentation of an album and it activally encourages interest, as opposed to the standard CD format (or worse the dreaded MP3), so for that alone Stompin’ On Spiders should be commended.

The album itself is a little hit and miss to be honest, it opens with the mellow folky blues of Schizophrenic City, which is a decent enough opener without really grabbing you by the lapels, the combination of strummed acoustics and bluesy electric riffs works nicely, but the song never really hooks you in, then from there the band kind of jump around a little from engaging blues to mellow and meandering 60’s influenced folk.

The album features a number of tracks that do make you sit up and take notice, Blacklist Blues is a prime example, a darker, brooding number, with stomping blues riffs and pattered percussion backing perhaps the most convincing vocal on the album, whilst the likes of Cloud Seeding and the energetic and restless blues of Katie Shoot The Gun also deserve merit, whilst the instrumental jam during The Great Divide proves the band to be more than able musicians.

However the more refrained numbers, such as Angry Again and Charlie’s Smile lack a little bite, the vocals are a bit weak to carry the tune and don’t really engage the listener, whilst musically they meander without ever reaching the desired destination and the vocal restrain on the otherwise impressive album closer, Ten Thousand Miles is completely uneccesary and a little cheesy.

I think Stompin’ On Spiders have got a decent blues album in their locker somewhere and I’d like to hear them perhaps pursue the sound of the aforementioned Blacklist Blues a little more but at the moment the band frustrate, I like roots and folk as much as the next man (actually probably more) however a stripped down sound does expose any weaknesses and unfortunately a few of the track on here do just that.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 6

 

 

25 September, 2014

Matt Woosey-Wildest Dreams

Filed under: acoustic,blues,country,Recorded Reviews,roots,soul — Tags: matt woosey, new album, wildest dreams — willmunn @ 19:54

 

Wildest Dreams, Matt Woosey, Album Release November 3rd

Most of you who have seen and heard Matt Woosey perform, either solo, or with his band, will know him to be a talented blues man, acoustic guitarist and an excellent writer. Matt does not need to fill his set with blues classics, though sometimes the odd song may be slipped in. He is also gifted with an excellent voice, capable of gentle, melodic country songs or spitting out the grit when a bit of passion is required. His last full album, ‘On The Wagon’, has provided plenty of material for a Woosey gig, a follow up EP bridged the gap to this new release, Wildest Dreams. This is where we find new elements to Matt’s work, the style is more expansive. There is still a blues connection, its an anchor that does not lift easily, but the album opens into new areas, Matt is spreading his wings. My initial thought on first play through was, wow, this is bloody good. Dissect it and you will certainly find blue veins, but you’ll also find a a massive heart, pumping out rock, country, maybe even some gypsy jazz. It starts with a beautifully written and performed,’Exactly As We Please’, a song about shared moments alone with someone you love. Then comes Wildest Dreams, bags of reverb opening with Tom Tom, and finding an ethereal Matt, evoking feelings of Woodstock and an almost forgotten era of peace and love.

‘I’ve Seen The Bottom’, starts slightly sullen and blue, but quickly bursts into a glorious rock anthem complete with Hammond Organ, and great, emotive, one liner lyrics. ‘Don’t Tell Nobody’, is a deliciously dark tale of forbidden fruits, and is, quite simply, superb.

Here we switch to the near 3 minutes of mesmerising gypsy jazz finger picking guitar lead in to, ‘Love Is The Strangest Thing’, where the lyrics float in like a sea mist, and still that guitar plays on. Two songs are lifted straight from The previous EP, always destined, I suspect, for an album, ‘Hook Line & Sinker’ is joined by ‘let It Flow’, both very worthy inclusions. This album was recorded, mixed and mastered in 4 days flat, at Monnow Valley Studio under Tony Hobden. Dave Small on percussion, was also joined by Paul Quin on Hammond, and Rob Newell on bass. Including ‘Hook Line & Sinker’, is pretty appropriate, because that is exactly how it grabs you. Its difficult to select a favourite or stand out track, they are all that good, but I do particularly like the steamy, ‘Don’t Tell Nobody’. This is a long way from being a formulaic album, the genre are varied, with the common thread of Woosey talent stitching it all together. To record this in just a few days, points to the select group of collaborators and the inspiration engendered by Lisa, Matt’s partner.

I cannot find the words to do justice to this CD, it is stunningly good, it deserves to find a much wider market than the blues genre alone, can provide. Matt has long demonstrated his musical credentials, a good vintage has matured into a premier Cru.

 

Words Graham Munn

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