Smokestack Lightnin' Home Page -- The Blues Profile Page
Blue
Plate Special - I continue to be amazed by the tremendous indie
market that feeds the labels nowadays. Why? Well the talent pool is so deep
and broad that you find all brands and interpretations, most of which carry
a great deal of musical experience and worthiness. This biscuit is an
example of that richly-fibered carpet called the blues. The majority of the
work is carried by a trio of musicians. Bandleader R. P. Michaels lays out
(in delicate layers) the lead vocals, bass, keyboards, and guitar work. Gary
Maier lays down the shufflin' drum work and Harry Binford provides the
second guitar. Binford and Maier also share the vocal work with Michaels.
Guests include harpist Mark Zelepugas and the background vocals of Charlie
Prasma, as well as the voices of the Stumbling Pilgrim Choir (Ron, Charlie &
Mark?). While dubbing and layering are obvious, they are clearly interactive
and reactive. Some cuts slump into the easy rock/blues groove while others
stand out like bright lights on the highway. Tunes like the five-minute plus
'Phone Call' and the slow and tempered 'Not In The Mood' will fill your
blues appetite. I know we've all heard it before! I call these powered-up
blues with weighty rhythms and doubled and tripled lead tracks. The melodies
are not constrictive, and they leave real room for the give and take!
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