Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues – Henrik Freischlader vs. Martin Harley vs. Carrie Rodriguez
HENRIK FREISCHLADER
House In The Woods
Cable Car 2013
Hot on the heels of “Still Frame Replay”, here’s another offering from the “new Joe Bonamassa”, German blues-rocker Henrik Freischlader. And if you’ve heard any of his previous offerings, then you won’t be surprised by what is on offer here.
He’s a man who worships at the altar of the late Gary Moore, so the template of muscular riffing, semi shred solos and workmanlike vocals is a well travelled one. And Herr Freischlader follows it well. When he manages to weld it to a good song, it’s even better. The best of the bunch are actually where he strays from his regular sound, and the slow groove of ‘Sisters’ and the ballad ‘Two Young Lovers’ are by far the best of the bunch.
The latter could easily find some Radio 2 airplay, and help propel him a wee bit further up the ladder.
MARTIN HARLEY BAND
Mojo Fix
60/20 Records 2013
He’s new to me, but turns out that Martin Harley, he of the Martin Harley Band, a British blues trio has been on the go for ages, and this is his fifth album. They’ve been working hard on the road gigging with a varied bunch including G. Love & Special Sauce, Newton Faulkner and Donovan Frankenreiter. This latest record saw Harley heading over to the colonies to record the album with Bob Parr,the original bass player for The Brian Setzer Orchestra, and its ended up a real winner.
It’s a fabulous mixture that brings all sorts of roots music to the table, and he’s reeled in some fanatastic musicians to flesh out the songs including Santana and Steve Winwood veteran Walfredo Reyes on drums, McKenzie Smith of Midlake, and violinist Charlie Bisharat.
Harley himself is a fabulous slide guitarist, and although he owes a lot to Ry Cooder, songs like ‘Working For The Man’, the title track, ‘Rum Shack’ and ‘Outlaw’ show that he’s definitely got enough mojo of his own.
CARRIE RODRIGUEZ
Give Me All You Got
Ninth Street Opus 2013
Album number five from roots musician Carrie Rodriguez who first came to public attention via a series of collaborations with veteran songwriter Chip Taylor (‘Wild Thing’, ‘Angel of the Morning’). They recorded four albums together before Ms Rodriguez embarked on her solo career.
They’re still pals though, and this record features Mr Taylor on a handful of songs, as Ms Rodriguez continues on her journey through rootsy Americana. She rarely plays the same song twice and this album sees her performing in a variety of styles from country to bluesy rock to sixties pop and al lpoints inbetween.
The opening ‘Devil In Mind’ is probably my favourite song here, and it’s so good that an instrumental version pops up near the end of the album. A close second is the dark and soulful Chip Taylor written ‘Cut Me Now’, and the country sounds of the closing duet ‘I Don’t Mind Waiting’ means that there are three sure fire gems on offer, which is a pretty good rate of return.
It will probably appeal to country fans more than blues lovers, especially with all the delightful fiddle playing that goes on, but genres be damned, it’s a cracker.
Don’t forget to tune into Mr H every Thursday at 8pm, Her Majestys Great British time, when you will find him Rockin’ The Blues on that there internet radio. http://www.getreadytorockradio.com/
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
Leave a comment