Поиск по этому блогу

суббота, 13 марта 2021 г.

Shawn Pittman - Stompin' Solo

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2021
Time: 42:06 
Size: 96,7 MB 
Label: Continental Record Services
Styles: Classic Acoustic Blues
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Mance's Rock - 2:25
 2. Leanin' Load - 2:41
 3. Ode to Texas - 3:02
 4. Fly Swattin' Woman - 2:47
 5. Talk Didn't Do No Good - 2:20
 6. Go Down Swingin' - 4:24
 7. Lightnin's Stomp - 1:47
 8. Somebody Gonna Lose, Somebody Gonna Win - 3:01
 9. No Such Thing - 3:46
10. Pressin' Your Luck - 2:22
11. Early in the Mornin' - 2:44
12. Take a Real Good Look - 3:05
13. Sweet Lovin' Mama - 3:04
14. That's Alright - 2:21
15. Spanish Flang Dang - 2:12

".....It never rains, but it pours does it? Only a few weeks ago I was talking to my brother about the lack of Blues Albums I was receiving and a few days later CRS sent a package with the Johnny Mastro album that I reviewed two weeks ago; and this Solo effort from Shawn Pittman.
To some degree I’m tired to the back teeth of albums ‘forced on artists’ because of the Covid Pandemic. Obviously I have every sympathy as I’m well aware that musicians have to make a living; but yikes …… show some imagination guys and girls!
Shawn Pittman has done just that; by selecting a bunch of Classic, Neo-Classic and barely known Blues tunes from across the ages that he can put his own indelible stamp on; in an acoustic fashion.
I don’t know nearly half of the songs and tunes here; but that only adds to the excitement I’ve felt right from the delightfully complex instrumental Mance’s Rock which opens proceedings and really sets the tone for what is to follow; starting with Leanin’ Load which could easily have been recorded in a Delta Shack some time pre-WWI if they’d only had the advantage of a 21st Century home studio that Shawn Pittman obviously has.
Pittman’s guitar playing is as intoxicating as I’d expected; or at least hoped …… as not every electric guitarist can play an acoustic with as much discernible skill; but Shawn can; but it’s his voice that has surprised me most of all; it’s damn near perfect for the the way these songs need to be sung …… heart, soul and fervour in equal measure.
There’s not a dud here; as Pittman slips and slides seamlessly between the soulful Go Down Swingin’ and Pressin’ Your Luck through the downright sleazy version of Johnny Guitar Watson’sSweet Lovin’ Momma and even getting your toes a’tappin on Lightnin’s Stomp but it’s when he gets low down and heartbreakingly honest; he’s at his best.
That’s Alright, Somebody’s Going to Win; Somebody’s Going to Lose and Pressin’ Your Luck that Shawn Pittman really comes alive and adds an extra dimension to what may have been tiresome cover versions in lesser hands (and we’ve all been in that bar, on that night!).
Speaking of which; I’d pay a Kings ransom to see Shawn Pittman in a greasy dive bar or Honky Tonk on a steamy Summer’s evening singing Fly Swattin’ Momma, Ode to Texas and especially No Such Thing, which will make you think you are time shifting back to the less than Roaring 20’s.
While this is a Long Player in the grand tradition and should be played in such a manner; Shawn Pittman somehow manages to make two songs sound very special indeed; and I have no idea how he creates the magic he does on the slide drenched Early in The Mornin’ and Take a Real Close Look which follows ……. but he does, therefore they tie for the title of RMHQ Favourite Track.
Obviously this type of raw acoustic Country-Blues won’t be to everyone’s taste; but if you are an admirer of the genres Roots you could do a lot worse than starting here; it’s a belter...."

Комментариев нет:

Отправить комментарий