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MARCH 2007 |
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Artist: JO' BUDDY & Down Home King III Title: Grits & Rattles Label: Ram-Bam Records RAM0004 For more information go to: www.jobuddy.com or www.ram-bam.com Upon hearing this album some people would be inclined to use words and phrases such as; Raw, primeval, back to basics, stripped down sound and bursting with energy; this all may well be true, but, I think that there is more to the music than these handy little soundbites blithely infer. For although this is J.B.’S &D.H.K.111debut album, J.B. has been working furiously away for over the last twenty years learning his craft and refining his technique, spending some of that time playing in and around Austin, Texas and has contributed to twenty six other albums in bands such as; The City shakers, One O’clock Hump, Groovy Eyes and The Crawfish Kings. All the ten numbers here are original compositions and range from serious all out foot-stomping toe-tappers to slow and engaging mournful heartfelt slowburning blues. Overwhelmingly though for the most part, it is the exuberant, energy filled numbers that vibrantly leap, echoingly out from the speakers, delivering a spine-tingling twangin’ and a sharply slapped bass like guitar sound that grab you by the throat and make you sit up and take notice; which is very reminiscent of the likes of; Houndog Taylor, Satan and Adam, Gene Vincent, Link Wray, Hop Wilson, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and more recently The Stray Cats. There are two surprising aspects of this album; one is that the whole album was recorded live with no overdubs in Finland. The second is that the musicians are natives of Finland and they are; Jo’ Buddy; Guitar, Vocals and Stompin’ Shoes and Down Home King 111; who plays Drums and Percussion. I recommend that you kick off your boots and pound that carpet! Enjoy! ----- Brian Harman |
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