Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2017
Time:48:04
Size:110,6 MB
Label:Self-Released
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front
Tracks Listing:
1. The Blue Back Gorilla - 3:46
2. Get off the Ground - 3:49
3. Lost and Found - 3:48
4. Infrared Light - 3:57
5. Sing Along - 4:00
6. Blood Pressure - 3:37
7. White Zebra - 3:57
8. Gone Today - 4:52
9. Promised Land - 3:19
10. I Just Can't Say - 3:17
11. Hometown Blues - 3:24
12. Hometown Blues (Live) - 2:57
13. Blood Pressure (Live Bonus) - 3:14
For more than a decade, the Eric LaValette Band has made a name for itself by preaching an identity-based Blues at numerous festivals, sharing the bill with, among others, Johnny Winter, J.J. Milteau, Ed Sullivan, Dr Feelgood, Little Bob, Big Daddy Wilson, Mighty Mo Rodgers…
With two albums to their credit, 'No Land's Man' dating from 2007 and 'Delenga Carthago' from 2013, the Toulouse gang does it again in 2017 with this third opus, 'Deadline'.
Do not trust the cover of this album where these artists appear against the light, because it is only an optical illusion, a trompe l'oeil. Indeed, the combo composed of Eric LaValette, guitars and vocals, Greg Lamazères, harmonica, Jeff Cazorla, bass, and Jérémy Cazorla, drums and percussion, does not play in the shadow of the greats of this world, but under the sparkling radiance of their innovative Blues, that is to say in full light.
Pacsed so that the Blues and the devil go hand in hand, the incisive riffs of the guitar fraternize with the captivating notes of the harmonica. The Eric LaValette Band does not generate monotony, quite the contrary, the bluish color of their music displaying all its shades, from pastel blue to indigo, flirting with other influences for a stylish mix and a varied musical palette, colorful. Throughout the titles, the group reveals its game, without cheating and without jokers. The quartet looks like ace four, these 12 compositions being its trump cards, winning the bet at every deal.
From these two compositions, the first, 'The Blue Back Gorilla', very brassy with the presence of two guests, Cécile Vidale on trumpet and Franck Mottin on Saxophone, and the second, 'Get off the Ground', you take a first masterful slap as these Blues are irradiated under the burning sun of southern rock! For those who still think that Blues is music from another age, banish your prejudices, there is a magic potion in the brew. Expect to take two turns in your sandals!
After some very muscular Blues where the harp and the guitar converse, punctuated by the solid rhythm, 'Lost and Found', 'Infrared Light', the 4 accomplices, nostalgic for another era, will frolic without carelessness and with complete delicacy on the lands of Harvest and Hurricane, as a nod to the Loner and Mr Tambourine Man, with these superb compositions: 'Sing Along' and its keyboard flights, 'Gone Today' or even 'Promised Land'.
This is also one of the major assets of this album: getting off the beaten track to combine blues in other facets, just like on this 'Blood Pressure' ignited by the choirs and this haunting 'White Zebra' played on the mandolin. I assure you that the bet is successful, the emotion is there!
The last tracks of the album, 'I just can't say' and 'Hometown Blues', offered in two versions, studio and live, exude traditional blues, the one that gives the thrill to fans of this music.
As this album 'Deadline' is diverse, as the Blues captivates in its different cultures, it is quite naturally intended for all audiences. It is also almost impossible to have a preference for a title, this album is so surprising. But I repeat, these twelve compositions are trump cards, to be put in everyone's hands and ears! ‘Banco’ will exclaim your turntable! ~Alain AJ-Blues, Deputy Editor-in-Chief – PARIS-MOVE