Label: Mascot 2019
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
"She's a 'Big Legged Woman' in a short, short, short, mini-skirt". Oh lordie, lordie. The blues in all its wicked nature? Wicked thoughts, wicked minds, wicked musicians? It's the devil's music, you know? And I'm speaking about the old skool devil and old skool nature. Not the family friendly kiddie version of today. Preachers used to roam the earth in desperate attemps to stop the blues from spreading like disease. All in vain of course since hordes of raving mad fans are still listening to the oldies (and newies) and Black Stone Cherry are merely trying to re-create the magic of proper roadhouse music. Correct. It's the cover album or EP since it's merely six tracks...
Starting up "Back To Blues Volume 2" with two powerful upper-cuts in "Big Legged Woman" (Freddie King) and Robert Johnson's "Me & The Devil Blues", it's a wonder that you're still standing. Chris Robertson (vocals/guitar) and the band have certainly gained confidence with these releases, taking more chances and letting it all hang out to dry. Showing off and even going for the first, second, round KO may not always be the best way to keep the audience on your side. However. When it's done properly like on the first two blows and the following Mississippi blues of "All Your Love (I Miss Loving - originally performed by Otis Rusch), it's no doubt the winning concept.
The songs are obviously more up-to-date (duh!), hardrocking, and heavier than the originals. Some may not enjoy the sound as they prefer the ancient production and style. Then again. How can you not enjoy the wicked groove of "Early One Morning" or the howling version of "Down In The Bottom" as originally performed by Howlin' Wolf? Covers are always difficult though and it's sometimes a no win situation. Damned if you do, damned if you don't? Nah... I'd rather go with damned if you don't have a listen, since this is pretty darn fun....
facebook.com/blackstonecherry
No comments:
Post a Comment