FANZEYEVIEW
24 Pesos - Busted, Broken & Blue - 2010
Once in a while a gem passes your way, thanks to Marcus Bonfanti, who recommended to me this band, I got a copy of this cd. To say I have played this cd everyday is an understatement, I have sometimes played it 2 or 3 times. The last time that happened was when I purchased the latest Marcus Bonfanti cd.
If you are willing to take a chance on very modern blues with a modern beat and tempo, then this is for you. Very danceable in places with the musicians getting every bit out their chosen instruments. While chatting to a couple of friends about this cd, we all came to the same conclusion that it reminded us of a concept as to the Fun Lovin' Criminals making a blues recording. That would be a selling point on its own to me.
The songs in the main are on an upbeat with a couple taking it down a step or two to give you a well deserved breather.
The disc opens up with 'Maxwell Street' the story of a musician walking down it and taking in the nostalgia and history of it , great references to Leadbelly, Little Willie and Big Bill Broonzy to name a few. Great start closely followed by the wonderful 'Never Saw The Devil' with its guitar and Hammond intro melody which grooves the whole track, taken over by a great bass line.
'Waitin' At The Station' is my favourite on the cd, if I had to choose one. Briiliant hook with a guitar/harp wailing in the background while Julien sings the opening verse over the top, it then breaks into a groove you just cannot stop tapping your feet to Its as an infectious a song as you are going to hear all year,dominated in the main by the harp the song tells a story of a man losing hs woman and his desperation to find her.
'In The Summertime' is a song that a couple of my friends adore, this is the closest to the aforementioned Fun Lovin Criminals as you will get in the blues. Brilliant hook and groove that I know has had one woman I know waking up with the tune in her head. Great guitar and harp in this song.
Great Dobro on the next track 'Lowdown, Sweet And Dirty' which is about one night stands, the band really shine on this track, again very catchy. 'Livin My Life' has another fantastic hook/groove to keep you dancing and a chorus to singalong to , would go down a treat at any party, The harp again taking centre stage reminiscent of the wonderful Lee Brilleaux in his prime, the is driven by a great bass line, slide dobro soloing.
'Mean What I Say' kicks along in a James Brown vibe again great playing by all concerned on this number. 'Still In Love With My Baby' slows the pace down with a superb slide intro, lyrics venturing into man loses woman territory, lovely keyboards on this track with a gentle slide just below in the mix. A classy song.
The title track has The Stray Cats written all over it, not a bad band to base a sound on, great Brian Setzer style guitar as well, very uptempo and another foot stomper, merges into Joe Jackson as well in his jazz days.
Another slower song 'Day Becomes Night' is your more conventional blues slow number, opening blues guitar solo with keys underneath, probably the best vocal track as well on the cd. I can see this track being covered by more established artists in the future, especially with the room to solo away forever. The guitar and Hammond solos are a joy on this.
'Neckbones And Gumbo' finishes the cd off with a slice of New Orleans depicting the wonders of women. A grand finale to the cd.
Overall this cd is one of the best you will hear this year, it has everything you need for a party, car drive or just plain old listening for pleasure. Having already seen this band live the songs transfer very well to the format. Great songs, great musicians and very good production that gives it a very cool live feel.
Catch them live if they are near you , you won't regret it.
If you are willing to take a chance on very modern blues with a modern beat and tempo, then this is for you. Very danceable in places with the musicians getting every bit out their chosen instruments. While chatting to a couple of friends about this cd, we all came to the same conclusion that it reminded us of a concept as to the Fun Lovin' Criminals making a blues recording. That would be a selling point on its own to me.
The songs in the main are on an upbeat with a couple taking it down a step or two to give you a well deserved breather.
The disc opens up with 'Maxwell Street' the story of a musician walking down it and taking in the nostalgia and history of it , great references to Leadbelly, Little Willie and Big Bill Broonzy to name a few. Great start closely followed by the wonderful 'Never Saw The Devil' with its guitar and Hammond intro melody which grooves the whole track, taken over by a great bass line.
'Waitin' At The Station' is my favourite on the cd, if I had to choose one. Briiliant hook with a guitar/harp wailing in the background while Julien sings the opening verse over the top, it then breaks into a groove you just cannot stop tapping your feet to Its as an infectious a song as you are going to hear all year,dominated in the main by the harp the song tells a story of a man losing hs woman and his desperation to find her.
'In The Summertime' is a song that a couple of my friends adore, this is the closest to the aforementioned Fun Lovin Criminals as you will get in the blues. Brilliant hook and groove that I know has had one woman I know waking up with the tune in her head. Great guitar and harp in this song.
Great Dobro on the next track 'Lowdown, Sweet And Dirty' which is about one night stands, the band really shine on this track, again very catchy. 'Livin My Life' has another fantastic hook/groove to keep you dancing and a chorus to singalong to , would go down a treat at any party, The harp again taking centre stage reminiscent of the wonderful Lee Brilleaux in his prime, the is driven by a great bass line, slide dobro soloing.
'Mean What I Say' kicks along in a James Brown vibe again great playing by all concerned on this number. 'Still In Love With My Baby' slows the pace down with a superb slide intro, lyrics venturing into man loses woman territory, lovely keyboards on this track with a gentle slide just below in the mix. A classy song.
The title track has The Stray Cats written all over it, not a bad band to base a sound on, great Brian Setzer style guitar as well, very uptempo and another foot stomper, merges into Joe Jackson as well in his jazz days.
Another slower song 'Day Becomes Night' is your more conventional blues slow number, opening blues guitar solo with keys underneath, probably the best vocal track as well on the cd. I can see this track being covered by more established artists in the future, especially with the room to solo away forever. The guitar and Hammond solos are a joy on this.
'Neckbones And Gumbo' finishes the cd off with a slice of New Orleans depicting the wonders of women. A grand finale to the cd.
Overall this cd is one of the best you will hear this year, it has everything you need for a party, car drive or just plain old listening for pleasure. Having already seen this band live the songs transfer very well to the format. Great songs, great musicians and very good production that gives it a very cool live feel.
Catch them live if they are near you , you won't regret it.
