The Christopher Dean Band - Need a Friend

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2023
Time: 55:24 
Size: 127,4 MB 
Label: Self-Released
Styles: Blues/Electric Blues/
Art: Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. What Have I Done Wrong - 5:22
 2. Need a Friend - 3:31
 3. It Takes Time - 3:40
 4. Out of Bad Luck - 4:21
 5. Mattie May - 3:31
 6. Call If You Need Me - 4:21
 7. Countryboy Blues - 3:53
 8. Blind Love - 5:14
 9. Cold Winter Day - 3:22
10. Appalachian Women (feat. "Chicago" Carl Snyder) - 3:10
11. Pearly B - 2:55
12. Strange Feeling - 6:39
13. Blue Serenade - 5:19

A sabre sharp electric guitar kicks in followed by a singing voice of the highest order (Christopher Dean himself) that soon crosses the boundaries between Soul filled Blues and late night Jazz that totally reinvents Magic Sam’s What Have I Done Wrong? …. more like this, please! This is followed by the slinky Need a Friend; originally by Memphis Minnie and here it gets a fresh lick of paint and introduces us to piano player extraordinaire ‘Chicago’ Carl Snyder who adds a certain je ne sais quois to proceedings on piano alongside some bewitching guitar from (probably) Mike McMillan; and both continue to do right through to the very end.Everyone here and especially Dean and Snyder have been treading the boards for decades which certainly comes out in the way the band come together on the melodies across each and every song here; even when Dean sings or Snyder adds his magic on the piano; you just feel that they are integral pieces in a musical jigsaw; they need a tight rhythm section as much as Walter Jarrett (bass) and Dave Hollingsworth (drums) need the stars strutting their stuff out front in the spotlight.That said; playing that good still needs extraordinary songs to capture the listeners’ attention; and that certainly applies here.Most songs here are ‘covers/classics’ from way back when, yet I didn’t recognise a single one even though I do have Buddy Guys Strange Feeling on a VA album, but it doesn’t sound much like this tale of woe which features Steve Lombardelli taking the lead on sax, with the band performing a steamy shuffle in the background.As I said earlier, the first time I played this album was via my favourite speakers and the volume turned to 7 and the result was amazing; even though the songs themselves are pretty much from the laid back zone; especially another Magic Sam tale; Out Of Bad Luck which sent a shiver down my spine and later Strange Feeling (Buddy Guy again) sounds like a super-smooth Johnny Winter on vocals and guitar.While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this complete album on a number of occasions now; and it’s certainly worth listening to on headphones; choosing a single Favourite has been as difficult as ever.Chris Dean’s self penned duet with Nate Myers, the raucous toe-tapper Appalachian Women certainly has its merits; as does the effortlessly beautiful reworking of Snooks Eaglin’s Country Boy in New Orleans which seamlessly fits in some wondrous Hammond from Snyder and sax from Lombardelli that is seriously worthy of Clarence Clemmons. With a deep breath I’m going left of centre; selecting Cold Winters Day, a Blind Willie McTell song, because it slickly combines soul stirring slide guitar with some of the finest piano playing I’ve heard this side of Dr John or Jools Holland; and Christopher Deans vocals are just the extra sparkles on the cake.While it’s apparent everyone here has and continues to make a living from music; but I still have a feeling that they should all be a damn sight more famous.There’s quality across every song and note here that many Grammy Winners dream of possessing, but the power of the corporations get them on the Top Table every year; while the likes of The Christopher Dean Ban and Carl Snyder are performing the cabaret at a club full to bursting with afficionados of the Blues, further on down the street.

Need a Friend