Year: 2016
Time: 58:54
Size: 135,0 MB
Label: Dog Breath Records
Styles: Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front
Tracks Listing:
1. Doncha Know I Loves Ya - 4:00
2. How Come - 4:16
3. If Ya Wanna Grow Old - 3:46
4. Whiskey Bottle - 4:52
5. No Money in the Till - 4:03
6. Git Ta Gittin' Baby - 3:41
7. Facebook Woman - 3:20
8. Blue Lights - 4:28
9. Cheatin' 'n' Lyin' - 3:29
10. Big Rockin' Daddy - 4:50
11. All Night Boogie - 3:39
12. In My Younger Days - 5:12
13. What It Is - 3:58
14. Headin' Out - 5:14
Harpdog Brown is one of Canada's most distinctive blues singers & harp masters. He keeps it traditional, adding his own flair, energy & humour to great material presented with swinging phrasing & solid deep playing. -Holger Petersen, SiriusXM, CKUA, CBC
Harpdog Brown's latest release, "What It Is...", marks my second introduction to his music, of which his previous release "Naturally", I wrote, "Naturally" was a great introduction to Harpdog Brown, for me and although I am not familiar with his other albums I still believe this may be one of his best, so far." "Naturally" may of indeed been one of Harpdog Brown's best, but after listening to "What It Is...", I have no doubt that this Harp Driven Beauty is the best stuff he has ever done and it is not just me, but many other reviewers and critics are also saying it.
"What It Is..." consists of 14 great Tracks, clocking in at just under an hour. Of the 14 Tracks, 10 are originals, with 9 written or co-written by Harpdog Brown, of which he partners with John R. Hunter on 6 Tracks, J. Hoar on 2, and wrote one Track solo. The title Track, "What It Is...", was written by Wayne Berezan who used to play guitar with Harpdog Brown in the original Bloodhounds, back in 1990-92 and has written many songs tailored for Brown. For the 4 Covers, Harpdog Brown chose some really nice ones, which included, "Git Ta Gittin' Baby" (Wynonie Harris), "Blue Lights" (Little Walter), "All Night Boogie" (Howlin' Wolf), and "In My Younger Days" (Sonny Boy Williamson II).
Joining Harpdog Brown (Harmonica/Vocals) on "What It Is...", were a trio of great musicians, which included, Co-writer and Drummer John R. Hunter, Bassist George Fenn, and Guitarist Jordan Edmonds. In addition to Co-writer and Drummer, John R. Hunter also Produced this album with Harpdog Brown. "What It Is..." is dedicated to the memory of Greg Kennedy, of which you can read a nice write-up about Greg here... http://rcmpsite.com/index.php?news_action=display&news_id=5969
With the name Harpdog Brown, one would expect to hear a truckload of Harp playing on his albums, and that is something that you get in aces on "What It Is...", and that is something I was really happy to hear as I felt the Harp was a little lacking on his previous release, "Naturally". For "What It Is...", Harpdog pulled out the old Harp and played the heck out of it throughout nearly all of the album, showing us all why he is considered one of Canada' Premier Harp players.
Harpdog Brown did not make choosing 3 favorites, an easy task, as this is one of the more solid albums I have come across in a while, never the less I chose, the opening Track "Doncha Know I Loves You", Track 7, "Facebook Woman", and Track 8 "Blue Lights".
Opening Tracks either get my attention and whet my appetite for what is to come, or they leave me hanging, wondering if I am actually going to love the album that much. "Doncha Know I Loves You", caught my attention right away as the first notes coming my way were from Harpdog Brown's Harp and I knew this song and perhaps this album was going to be great. This one came across with a really rock solid, no fuss beat, that showed off a really tight band at it's very best.
With the creation that is Facebook, we also now encounter a few songs about it, of which "Facebook Woman", is the newest one I have heard. Again this one, as with the opening Track, starts off with some super infectious Fat Harp Work from Harpdog Brown. This beauty includes an almost one minute solo that all of us Harp Lovers will truly enjoy.
Harp Lovers will also truly enjoy my third favorite, the Cover of Little Walter's "Blue Lights". This beauty is 4 minutes and 28 seconds of nothing less than Blues Harmonica Heaven, as Harpdog brown plays his heart out, and in doing so, does more than justice to one of Little Walter's finest tunes. Wow...
"What It Is..." is "What It Is...", and to me "What It Is..." was simply fantastic, showcasing one of the best Canadian Harp players around, at the very top of his game. Kudo's also to the super exceptional players that Harpdog Brown chose for this little journey.
5***** for "What It Is..." Thoroughly Enjoyed and Highly Recommended... Harmonica Driven Blues At It's Best...
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/Harpdog_Brown_CD2.html
What It Is
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий