Customer Reviews

Blues Landing

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Its about time some real rock and roll came to the market. Bass player sounds like Jack bruce and the guitarist sounds like eric clapton/Jimmy Page...........and that drummer...............omg..........better then Jinger Baker!...........the best thing that has happened to the blues in years..........looking forward to their next CD! To bad Cream isnt around anymore,,,,,,but then who cares if we have Albatross.

Albatross is a relatively new blues band out of San Francisco, California which was formed sometime in 1998. The band features seasoned veterans James Petrella on guitar and vocals and the Zamora brothers, Phil and Johann handling the bass and drum duities.

The bands first outing, Blues Landing, is a thoughtful work of art complete with wailing, crying, haunting and rocking blues guitar with hints of jazz influence. There is a deliberate and successful attempt to capture the blues rock sounds of the 60's and 70's much in the tradition of the original Fleetwood Mac group, led by Peter Green and yes, even hints of the short lived power trio, Cream. Even with the influence of these early blues rockers heard throughout the CD, Albatross still manages to pull of a unique sounding CD that was long over due.

Comparing Albatross to todays weak sound of progressive classic rock and blues is like trying to find a needle......you know the rest. Listened to "Heart In My Hand" and thought I was in the Mississippi delta with my houndog at my feet. Then there is "Time of our Lives" which made me think I was in a tie dyed room with incense burning and listening to an old Cream Album. For a trio...this band makes one hell of a fu....sound and I can't wait to see them in person. That drummer looks like "Animal" and plays like one too.........very cool. That bass player plays like hes mad at something while the guy on guitar.......cant explain where hes coming from......you have to hear it!

What a great discovery was this group, this sensational Trio 'ALBATROSS', new for me though already playing since the end of the 90's.
When I have first listened to this near-five-stars 'BLUES LANDING' I have felt as been transported back to the 60' s or the beginning of the 70' s. They have a captivating and engaging sound which in spite of being pretty personal has in some moments reminded me of JackBRUCE, Ginger BAKER and Eric CLAPTON's CREAM, or of Peter GREEN, John MC. VIE and Mick FLEETWOOD's FLEETWOOD MC. Also in the themes "Sea Line Woman" and "Heart In My Hand", I have been brought to think of the best pieces of Tony MC PHEE's THE GROUDHOGS. Thia has happened to me also in "Chameleon", in spite of its frantic start Mission-Impossible style.
There are three BLUES in the CHICAGO style, sensational. In BLUES slang it is said that "they smell". They are "Man Of The World", "Wharf Blues" and "American Stockade", the latter with an air of CREAM's "Politician" big Blues. Nonetheless the whole record is a very good Blues-Rock one.
I recommend it. I consider it a must. I give it 4,5 stars.