EYE OF THE STORM Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin (Phoenix Records) ****+
Some rockin’ blues on this here EP from Ottawa’s Wicked Grin. Clocking in at about half an hour, Eye Of The Storm conjure up some wicked good fun (sorry) in 6 tracks aimed squarely at showing you a good time.
Wicked Grin are Murray Kinsley on guitar and vocals, Laura Greenberg on bass (check out her short solo on Hold On) and Dave Tettmar on drums. Additional musicians include Steve Marriner on harp, Jesse O’Brien on keys and Zeek Gross on horns. I knew I was going to dig Eye Of The Storm when it opened with a cover of one of my favorite Ray Wylie Hubbard tunes, Snake Farm. The rest can be fairly characterized as rockin’ rollin’ blues- the songs are basic but compelling, and in a way they remind me of vintage ZZ Top but with Hammond B3. It’s no surprise that they were semi-finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2019.
Eye Of The Storm is their 5th album if I’m counting correctly, and their discography is available on I Tunes and bandcamp as well as from the band. This thing has muscle and groove and the sound is loose in a goodtime way but never sloppy… everyone is clearly enjoying themselves. The songs are generally in the 5 minute range; long enough for you to really dig in, but they don’t overstay their welcome. John Tackaberry of CKCU’s Black & Blues show calls it a “real, raw, authentic and not derivative sound” and he’s on to something there. I only wish this was a full album instead of just an EP.
HOT TRACKS: Friday Blues, Snake Farm
REAL THINGS EP Joe H. Henry (independent) *****
Singer/ songwriters from Canada’s eastern most provinces have a long tradition of great storytelling songs, and Joe H. Henry is one of them. His voice has been described as being “as powerful as a freight train” and like Howlin’ Wolf, once you hear it you won’t forget it. Real Things is his new (and second) 4 song EP- it’s a raw and deeply personal look at life’s honest moments, totally unforgettable.
JHH is an indigenous singer/ songwriter, and his combination of gritty folk, blues and Americana is born of his history of being a homeless train hopping youngster, up to becoming a homesteading father of five. The title track, which starts off the disc, was written last winter. “I was in a cabin our neighbors graciously offered me, overlooking the Bay Of Fundy” Joe says, “away from the chaos of a house with five kids. I realized… how did this once homeless, train-hopping, castaway of society find himself here, embraced by love and music?” That describes, in general terms, the depth of these songs as he finds solace in life’s simplest and truest moments.
Real Things is contemplative and meditative as you might expect from what I’ve already said. With drummers Geoff Arsenault and Patrick Murphy plus bassists Ron Hynes, Dan Baird and Dave Gunning, the sound is simple and direct; nothing to get between us and the stories Joe H. Henry is telling. This is a short, deep, thoughtful experience I totally recommend.
HOT TRACKS: Real Thing, Quicksand
MY ONE AND ONLY Nathan McEuen (Mesa/ Blue Moon Recordings) ****
If you’ve got a hankering for singer/ songwriter stuff, Nathan McEuen just might be your guy. His new EP, My One and Only comes out April 18th. Son of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s John McEuen, he grew up surrounded by incredible music and talented musicians, and he calls this “a reflection of my journey.”
My One and Only is light, airy and uplifting. The title track which kicks things off, has an interesting story. “In 2017 I reach out to my friend Mason Williams (Classical Gas, anyone?) with an idea to write a song together; to my delight he agreed and invited me to his home in Oregon” Nathan remembers. “Fast forward seven years. After meeting the love of my life, getting married, and finding the inspiration I needed, I finally completed (our) second song as a tribute to my beautiful wife.”
He started including it in his live set and it resonated with the audiences, who started asking where they could buy or stream it, which led to recording it in the studio and thus this EP was born. It includes new versions of fan favorites like Lately and Up To No Good as well as a remix of his most popular songs like Beautiful Night which Steve Martin calls “a song worthy of Jobim… great work!” Although I’d have preferred a full album, more artists are releasing singles and EP’s these days- that’s the nature of the business I guess. To my description of “light, airy and uplifting” I would also add ‘intoxicating’. My One and Only is something special.
HOT TRACKS: Beautiful Night, Up To No Good
FAMILY Southern Avenue (Alligator) **** ½
This Grammy-nominated roots n blues collective is about to release their 4th album, also their debut for this label. Family, out April 25th, is a stirring exploration of rootsy blues and soul with a gospel heart. As you listen, you cannot help but be moved by what they’re laying down.
Southern Avenue includes Israel-born guitarist Ori Naftaly plus 3 Memphis-born sisters; lead singer Tierinii, drummer and harmony singer Tiyra and little sister Ava who not only sings but plays violin and percussion- she’s the newest member of the band. Their obvious vocal gifts come straight from the church where they were raised; as youngsters they were only allowed to sing gospel, which shows itself in how they write and construct their harmonies.
To explain how they make music, Southern Avenue says “Family isn’t just something to hear; it’s something to feel. Like a vibrant family photo album, these songs capture snapshots of our past, reflections of our present, and our hopes for the future. Music is about connection- and (these songs) is our invitation to share that connection with you.” This is certainly a record that pulls you in deep with lush vocal harmonies and some pretty finer musicianship. Although a roots /blues thing is present, the dominant vibe is soulful gospel. The production is smooth, slick and totally modern but not ‘tech-y’, as these songs will wrap you in a warm embrace.
Other than the girls’ gorgeous harmonies, a highlight of Family is Ori Naftaly’s economic brilliance on guitar. A lover of American blues and R&B, he says “The first time I saw Tierinii perform, I saw my entire future flash in front of me.” Now they are married an are parents, so the band truly is a family affair. Family is one album you can’t and shouldn’t be without.
HOT TRACKS: Found A Friend In You, Back To What Feels Right, Late Night Get Down
Want to see more reviews? Check them all out here!
