WRUV Reviews

This is a mellow listen with soft organ contributions from Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker’s keyboardist Benmont Tench.  Along with the organ, slide guitar gives it a slow country feel.  Adams had to take a two year hiatus from music due to a chronic and painful inner-ear affliction called Ménière’s disease, which apparently causes him to hear strange tones and fall over things.  Also, did you know he was married to Mandy Moore?  She is featured on track 9 “Kindness” along with Norah Jones.  So check it out. Mellow down to some of these…

Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 3, 9

RIYL: Whiskeytown, ray lamontagne

Genre-bending musician: “The CD begins with “Lady,” a bluesy and funky track in which Schwartz pleads to a woman in earnest with his capable vocals. Impressive guitar riffs and the steadiness of the groove help to propel the track’s enjoyment. “Bad Position” is another impressive showing from Schwartz that finds him taking cues from early 80s pop before morphing the track into a bongo-propelled party all in the manner of minutes. With a tiny effect on his vocals and a kazoo of all things on the back end of the fun hook, Little Shalimar establishes its sound early on in the EP. “Winds Of Wackness” is a slower, guitar-driven romp where Schwartz’s vocals are the prominent portion of the track. While it doesn’t grab like the songs preceding it, it does show the range of Schwartz’s vocals. To be fair, the hook will hold the listeners’ attention as the song builds.”- OKAYPLAYER
PLAY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
RIYL: THE BLACK KEYS, TV ON THE RADIO
Lady by Little Shalimar

This is what the Album cover would look like if we had it. The band itself normally plays Mississippi Delta Blues reminiscent of blues from the 20’s and 30’s.  This album exemplifies music from that time genre by playing and recording through one mic and in monochrome. TRPBDB is attempting to give Charley Patton credit where credit is due for essentially being one of the creators of Mississippi Delta Blues.  While TRPBDB plays music from that time period anyways this album seems even more stripped down than their previous release(s).  While I give the band some respect for trying to record in the same manner that Charley Patton did, it’s not the same.  The major difference is Charley Patton was a tenor and sings/talks on his recordings.  TRPBDB lead singer is normally a baritone and shout/talk and is a little overbearing when he comes through.  If you are looking for a throw back recording of blues this could be it.

Recommended Tracks: 1/3/4/7/8/13

RIYL: Mississippi Delta Blues, Scott H Biram, Charley Patton, Hillstomp, Leadbelly, Robert Johnson

She sounds like Deborah Coleman with a slow west coast swing feel. I liked the use of the Bo Diddely drum-beat on track #11. The record really showcases the guitar and vocals. All songs would fit really well in a smokey lounge somewhere. Her voice is a little smokey, mysterious but still bluesy and powerful.

Try – 1/3/6/7/10/11/12

RIYL – Deborah Coleman, Shemekia Copeland, Janiva Magness

Great vocalist with good songwriting capabilities. Plenty of soul to go around. Has a nice controlled feedback on his guitar when he plays, enough for you to cut your teeth on! Play All. 3 is laid back while 4 is more of an epic Jeff Buckely song.

Try – PLAY ALL

RIYL- Tommy Castro/Black Keys/Ben Harper/Jeff Buckley

Texas easy listening blues rock reminiscent of songs that came out in the 50s and 60s– plays all of the instruments himself expect the horn accompaniment. Throw back sound, all really good!

Try – 1/2/3/4/7/10

RIYL - Chuck Berry/Buddy Holly/Elvis Presley/ Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown/ Buddy Guy

Pure, clean, crisp singing on this simple and easy listening coffee house acoustic guitar album. Sounds almost EXACTLY like James Taylor. Guitar, arrangements, vocally, etc. So if you like James Taylor…

Try – 2/3/4/7/10/12

RIYL - James Taylor / Robert Earl Keen / Gordon Lightfoot

The sophomore album from the young guitarist. Higher octave register vocals compared to most other blues artists, mostly due to his age. Hopefully his future will be as successful as other young fenoms such as Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Solid guitarist and a surprisingly polished/smooth album. Tries to appease to many genres on the cd.

Try – 1/5/6

RIYL – Buddy Guy, Ronnie Earl?, Younger Kenny Wayne Sheppard,

The latest record from the Belgrade native. A good mix of straight forward to laid back lounge groove blues. The album features Sonny Landreth on slide guitar! All playable, though some are more simple than the rest.  Still waiting for her to come into her own.

Try – 2/4/5/7/10

RIYL – Carolyn Wonderland, Grace Potter,

Rocking bar blues band out of Boston that is slightly more polished than the rest. Has potential but lacks “IT”. Don’t get me wrong the songs are good, I do like the album, but he won’t make it big. Good harp work on 1.

FCC: Track 10 - 0:56

RIYL – Blues Traveler, Lucero, Ronnie Earl

Try – 1/2/3/4/7/10/11