Reviews roundup – Salim Ghazi Saeedi vs. Fo’Reel vs. Ben Poole vs. Michael Barry-Rec

Reviews roundup – Salim Ghazi Saeedi vs. Fo’Reel vs. Ben Poole vs. Michael Barry-Rec

SALIM GHAZI SAEEDI
namoWoman
independent

Fancy some Iranian art rock / slash prog? Of course you do. I mean who doesn’t. And here comes Salim Ghazi Saeedi to fulfill those needs.

This was actually self released a couple of years back, but is now getting a bit of an international push, which is a good thing, as he does deserve a wider audience for his one band styling. As befits something of this ilk, it turns out that “namoWoman” is “In between worlds of sexualities, dualities and tonalities”. Um, OK.

Anyway, what he does is mix up his prog with some harder rock sounds, throw in some cinematic vibes, a helping of Persian classical music, and Bob’s your proverbial uncle. This is his third solo album, following on from three with the well known in Iran, Iranian band, Arashk, and will come as a treat to people who like later period King Crimson.

FO’REEL
Heavy Water
independent

Time for a self proclaimed New Orleans “supergroup”. Which is pushing it a bit. Granted, as a long time ABB / Gov’t Mule fan, the name Johnny Neel leapt out at me. But the others are largely session musicians and well seasoned bar band veterans. Regardless, though, the do make an excellent noise.

Their chosen field is West Coast blues, with some rock raunch and jazz licks. It’s all been marshalled by guitarist Mark Domizio, who puts in an excellent shift alongside the sterling keyboard work of Mr Neel. It’s mainly original material, although they kick things off with an excellent crack at ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s Home’, and find room later on for a couple of Luther Allison tunes.

There is more than one lead vocalist on the album, but it doesn’t make things disjointed, as can sometimes be the case. Instead, it’s the sound of musicians who’ve mastered their craft, stepping out, having a good time, and taking you along for the ride.

BEN POOLE
Live At The Royal Albert Hall
Manhaton

He’s long been billed a blues rocker, but Ben Poole is really a soul boy. albeit with tattoos and a seemit.

Which explains why you’ll find him rattling through the likes of Otis Redding’s ‘Mr. Pitiful’ and ‘Have You Ever Loved A Woman’, the Freddie King gem. Of course, his own songs don’t quite match up to the power of those, but the covers might attract passers by, and really give his voice a chance to shine.

The best of his own songs is the opening ‘Let’s Go Upstairs’, where he gets all funky, in anticipation of his etchings getting a good airing. It sounds great, as befits something that was recorded by the BBC last year, for “The Paul Jones Show”.

MICHAEL BARRY-REC
Continuum
independent

Album number three from guitar whizz, Michael Barr-Rec, who has had words like Bill Frisell and David Lindley flung at him. Words that have deservedly stuck, because he certainly knows how to wring some fancy notes from a guitar.

It’s all lap steel and acoustic round his way, so don’t expect to break a sweat while you’re listening to it. Rather, it’s all sweeping sounds, straight out of a Ry Cooder soundtrack. Yes, you knew I was going there, and I do hate to disappoint.

He’s not all by himself, as he wheel im guitarist George Winston along with JD Foster (bass), Johnny Hott (drums) and Adrian Olsen (mellotron, keyboards), when he needs to be less atmospheric. This all instrumental album does flirt dangerously with New Age, so you may want to tread warily, if you’re of a nervous disposition, but for fans of fancy guitar picking it’s a treat.