Customer Reviews

Swimming in Turpentine

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

 

 

The debut album by the band formerly known as The Joe McMurrian Quartet is simply stunning. You feel the Delta Blues that influences the band, but this album breaks free from the constraints of traditional blues and ends up being something so much more.

Port Chicago and Northbound open the album with such power and energy you feel required to turn your stereo up to it's limits, and the energy just doesn't stop. Track after track they just keep tearing it up.

This album is just such a great listen with a driving unique blues/rock sound that will blow you away. The leader Joe McMurrian was heavily influenced by the recordings of Robert Johnson which is heard clearly in his earlier recordings with his quartet where he plays mainly accoustic guitar. He is fully electrified here but the influence is still heard. The harmonica is amazing; much more Jason Ricci and Moreland and Arbuckle than Rick Estrin (who is fantastic, this is just a different sound). Previous reviewer referred to the energy present in Woodbrain's sound, he is spot on. The only drawback on the album to me is the last two songs "Next Stop" and "Pottsville Conglomerate" they're not just slower they really don't have that same energy and seem to me to be a bit disjointed musicaly. However, the rest of the CD far outweighs the drawback. I have hundreds of blues CD's of many styles; this is one of my favorites and I can't wait for the next recording from this group.