Customer Reviews

Rattlebag

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every September the small city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada hosts the surprisingly excellent Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, and every year some unheralded band comes in and blows the doors off the place. In 2000 that band was Paul Reddick and the Sidemen, playing mostly tunes from "Rattlebag." This CD should definitely reach blues classic status. These guys grab you up front with a brief collage of the CD's tracks called "P.R. Jubilee," and they then kick it into gear with "Sleepy John Estes," which track demonstrates that they can play a guitar-hero style of blues that is further augmented by a sensational harp. Later, in "Blind River Blues," they demonstrate that they can slow it down and wrench your gut and heart with the pathos of pure blues. Other tracks of note are the short harp solo, "06/19," and the kick-(...) "I'm a Criminal." However, these are just the highlights; the whole CD is fantastic. In fact, it's a good thing that CDs have replaced vinyl. Otherwise, I would have already worn through the album for this one.

I listen to all kinds of music, however I am generally a rock fan ranging from classic rock such as Jimmy Hendrix and Booker T and the MG's to more recent Alternative, Hard rock, Metal, and Indie classifications. This band however is excellent. This Northern Blues band is very pleasant to listen to with there faster tempo but great blues vocals. This band has become one of my favorites. When someone asks me what my favorite band is, now I say "Paul Reddick and the Sidemen" to help them get more exposure in a country in need of more good music like this, and because its true.

Here is a fresh new blues sound that reaches out and grabs you.
Their original songs are well written and drive hard, yet ever so smooth. I also had the pleasure seeing them live at the Ft. Laud Blues Festival - they are even better in person. They have tremendous potential.

I have been very impressed with the offerings from Northern Blues. It is unbelievable the fresh talent they have been bringing forth. This album has become one of my favorites. It has the sound and feel of a smoky juke joint, but the entire album sounds fresh. The electric tunes are dominated by harp and guitar. The guitar riffs are not over played and they really exhibit a lot of feel. The harp is tasteful and is not overly technical. In addition are some excellent acoustic tunes. Overall there is something for everybody on this album. I own and purchase many albums and this as been one of the best in the past year, I highly endorse it and look for to more form Paul Reddick and the Sidemen!

I first hear this at a listening station somewhere (can't remember) and I was blown away. This band has it all, great songs, and great talent. The harmonica, the guitar, the singing is all great. Sorta a modern Butterfield's Blues band in a way.

Remember the NCAA basketball playoffs? The COKE commercial with the guy "sip stealing" as he filled and refilled his cup? The song, I'm a Criminal? This is it! The whole Rattlebag cd is pure blues and bliss!!!

Heard "I'm a Criminal" on the Coke commercial, and I had to hunt this one down. This is the kind of blues that jumps inside your veins and moves your limbs all around. The Sidemen are tight, and that guitar player has the soul/groove thing down. Puts to shame all the popular blues bands that are rehashin the same old thing. This is real blues--get it.