Steve Hill: Solo Recordings Volume 3 Review

Steve Hill, known for his impressive one man band live show, brings this concept to the studio once again on his latest release Solo Recordings Volume 3.  His modus operandi is to perform all of the instruments at the same time but this isn’t some novelty act.  Steve writes, records, and performs very soulful blues based rock, and Americana in a serious way and unless you see him live or watch one of his videos, you would have no idea of his one man band mastery.

The album kicks off with a trio of excellent blues rockers. “Damned” and “Dangerous” are full of Hill’s chunky guitar work and slap back drenched soulful rock belting. “Still A Fool & A Rollin Stone” is a hard driving slow blues rocker designed to melt your ear buds to the side of your head. Hill also has a softer, more folk and Americana side. On the the Neil Young inspired “Slowly Slipping Away,” Hill laments his time slipping away but feels young when with his lover, a sentiment reminiscent of Neil Young’s “Old Man.” The acoustic numbers are a nice down shift to give the album some dynamics but he never lingers long in that vein and quickly get’s back to the rock and roll. Tracks like “Rhythm All Over” and “Smoking Hot Machine” are stand outs among the barn burners. The latter features Hill tearing up some distorted harmonica as if playing guitar, bass, drums and singing wasn’t enough.

With Hill playing the drums and bass at the same time as the guitar, don’t expect any crazy drum fills or slap bass acrobatics. He puts his focus where it belongs. The guitar and vocal work are wonderfully hard driving on the rockers and appropriately vulnerable and heartfelt on the acoustic tracks. This JUNO winner does not disappoint. Solo Recordings Volume 3 is wildly enjoyable even if you have never seen Steve perform live, but do yourself a favor and check out his live show. This one man rock and roll machine is not to be missed.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Damage
– Slowly Slipping Away
– Rhythm All Over
– Smoking Hot Machine
– Dangerous

The Big Hit

– Dangerous

Supersonic Blues Machine: West of Flushing, South of Frisco Review

Supersonic Blues Machine, formed by bassist and vocalist Fabrizio Grossi, and drummer Kenny Aronoff with guitarist Lance Lopez, has just set out on their maiden voyage with their release West Of Flushing South Of Frisco. In addition to the already stellar line up, the release features guest performances by Billy Gibbons, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Robben Ford, Eric Gales and Chris Duarte making this super group even “more super.”

If you are familiar with Lance Lopez’s music then you know that this album is all about hard driving southern rock and blues based riffs. The album opens with the southern rock inflected “Miracle Man.” All the Lopez penned tracks are strong but here he shows off his knack for great hooks. In the right hands (or wrong hands depending on your point of view) the hooks are catchy enough to find a home on country radio. But don’t be alarmed. He follows up with the minor key grooving “I Ain’t Falling Again” and from that point on, the album just burns the entire farm to the ground.

The guest artists all put their unique stamp on their perspective tracks. Billy Gibbon’s “Running Whiskey” could be a lost ZZ Top track and “Remedy” with Warren Haynes would sound at home on a Gov’t Mule record. Both Chris Duarte and Eric Gales give empassioned performances. The ballad “Let’s Call It A Day” is a perfect vehicle for the legendary Robben Ford and shows him at this melodic best. He and Lance even do a little harmony work on the intro as well as near the end of the track.

West of Flushing, South of Frisco is a total treat for the those of us who crave great hard driving blues based rock and ear frying guitar playing. The core of Supersonic Blues Machine of Lopez, Grossi, and Aronoff have nothing to prove. They could easly have carried the entire project themselves. The guest stars are just icing on an already very tasty cake.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Miracle Man
– Running Whiskey
– I Ain’t Falling Again
– Nightmares and Dreams
– That’s My Way

The Big Hit

– Remedy

Matt Andersen: Honest Man Review

Honest Man is the latest release from singer songwriter Matt Andersen. In case you haven’t heard of Mr. Andersen; he does over 200 dates a year worldwide and is a European Blues Award winner and a JUNO nominee. Andersen’s soulful baritone is a gorgeous cross between Joe Cocker and Marc Cohn and yet that doesn’t completely do it justice. Andersen’s voice is pure greatness and Honest Man beautifully showcases his talents as a vocalist and a songwriter.

The first single, “Let’s Get Back” has a Pat Green feel and a sweet brass solo that is a nice surprise in this country-ish track. Here Andersen muses about how his country as a nation has changed, but not for the better. On the heartbreaking ballad “I’m Giving In,” Andersen bears his soul about the seduction and allure of surrendering to another. This is one of the highlights of the album and has the potential to be a huge pop hit in the adult contemporary vein.  “Last Surrender” is a great old school R&B slow dance in the vein of Otis Redding.  All ten songs that make up the album explore both the political and personal sides of Matt Andersen. The title track with its tight Memphis groove and perfectly placed bari-sax kicks was inspired by a U.S. political cartoon, while “All The Way” takes a more personal approach as he sings about the decision to fully commit to a relationship.

If you’re looking for serious guitar riffing or rocking gutiar solos then you will need to look elsewhere. Honest Man is about the song. Commissioner Gordon’s (Amy Winehouse, Josh Stone) production and his use of some looped beats brilliantly serves the songs and Andersen’s voice. With songs this well crafted, all any producer has to do is just get out of the way. Honest Man is an album full of transcendent musical moments. The Commissioner’s light handed production approach to Andersen’s songwriting and magical voice might just propel him from indie songwriter to world renowned success.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– All The Way
– Last Surrender
– I’m Giving In
– Honest Man
– Let’s Get Back

The Big Hit

– Let’s Get Back

Jeff Healey: Heal My Soul Review

Heal My Soul is the first album of new material in fifteen years from the late great Jeff Healey.  A  lot of posthumous releases leave me with the impression that there was a good reason why the artist never released this material.  Naturally, I was nervous when I was asked to listen to Heal My Soul and write a review. I have been a Jeff Healey fan since his debut, See The Light. Was I going to have to give a bad review to one of my favorite artists of all time?

With the first blistering guitar strains of the opening track “Daze Of The Night,” I breathed an enormous sigh of relief and it gets better, too.  “Moodswing” keeps us rocking hard with it’s wah-wah soaked riffing and trippy-drippy vocal lines. I started to realize that this is no collection of b-sides and throwaways. The acoustic “Baby Blue” is a gorgeous ballad with harmonies that just bring a smile to your face. “I Misunderstood” shows what Jeff can do with a cleaner “Strat-tone.” Then it’s back to hard driving blues rock riffing with “Please.” There isn’t a bad song or even dull moment in the whole lot. In many ways this is some of Jeff’s best work. Which begs the question, why did it take fifteen years to release?

Heal My Soul was compiled with the participation and full approval of the Jeff Healey Estate to coincide with what would have been Healey’s 50th birthday on March 25th, 2016.  Jeff Healey is remembered as one of the most outstanding guitarists and performers of the past 30 years. This album reignited my passion for Jeff’s music and I found myself digging into his back catalog.  Heal My Soul is much more than just a fitting tribute.  With it’s superb song selection, fiery guitar work and very modern production, this album sounds like Jeff made it yesterday.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Daze of the Night
– Please
– Moodswing
– Baby Blue
– Temptation
– Under A Stone

The Big Hit

– Daze Of The Night