It may be inevitable that a blues band originating from the
Cork area of Ireland will be compared to Rory
Gallagher. Add to that a blues band with beards, and thoughts immediately
go towards ZZ Top. Throw away any
preconceived ideas then dear listener as “Rumble Shake”, the second full length
release by Crow Black Chicken, maintains
the organic, languid texture of the first album, and adds an extra serving of
melodic blues, to give it a depth and originality that can so often be lacking
in this field. “Hang ‘Em High”, which opens the album, would have the most
cynical blues-hater singing along to the chorus and strapping on a
weather-beaten air guitar. As an album opener “Hang ‘Em High” has everything
the listener could possibly need; the tempo, the hook, the searing guitar.
Little respite before “Two-Seven” and by now the overwhelming feeling is that,
listening to this album, you are having a
good time. The music is uplifting and engaging and takes the listener to a
place where they are free to engage in basic hedonistic behaviour. What more
could one want from the music? “Bitter” and “Little Paths” slow the tempo right
down without losing any of the personality. The soloing on these pieces has an
originality that is inspirational and exhilarating to hear.
The title track “Rumble Shake” is a gloriously uplifting romp
through a number of styles and influences that suggest that Crow Black Chicken could be something
very special to see in a live setting. “Black Asphalt” and “Black Man’s Gold”
contain a gritty sensuousness that is both charming and dangerous in equal
measure. “Rumble Shake” has a number of levels on which it parades its allures
however. “Priest Hunter” has a gentler, but no less poignant atmosphere whilst
“Jessie Mae” is a straightforward, languorous blues. Almost coming full circle “Sit With Satan”
revisits the mood captured on “Hang ‘Em High” and closes the album with a
crescendo of blues guitar passion.
“Rumble Shake “ is undoubtedly a blues based album that will
appeal not only to aficionados of that genre, but anyone prepared to listen to
candid imaginative music in general. The production on the album is just the
right side of grubby. It would not be out of place to add the label
“progressive” to this description of Crow
Black Chicken’s music, as they are certainly pushing the envelope of blues
based music which will hopefully open up whole new audience possibilities for
them.
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