Happy Friday – we made it through another week. Here in Missoula, it’s First Friday, a night when local businesses present displays of local artists and photographers, coupled with beer, wine and live music. We’re having an art exhibit by our manager, Tanner Court, at the VFW, with music by another employee, Doug Barrett. Should be lots of fun. To warm things up, here are five more reviews for your enjoyment.
Artist Name: Ghost Town Blues Band
Album Name: Backstage Pass
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues/Funk/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Come Together; 2. Tip of my Hat; 3. Shine; 4. Giving it all Away; 5. Big Shirley; 6. Whipping Post; 7. I get High; 8. One More Whiskey; 9. I Need More Love
Publicist: Frank Roszak Promotions
Review: Memphis-based Ghost Town Blues Band does more than just play the blues, combining their music with a healthy mix of funk and rock to form their own unique style. That style is manifest in their cover of the Beatles’ “Come Together,” which segues into a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” Their original numbers are progressive, upbeat and fun, creating an atmosphere conducive to just cutting loose and having a good time. They are like the Doobie Brothers with the Tower of Power horns. The entire album is a collection of live covers and fan favorites, and make us want to get to Memphis and see their live show. In the meantime, at least we’ll have this album to tide us over until we do.
Recommendation: If you love blues, funk or rock, and want that live experience, then you simply must Get this one.
Artist Name: Milo Gore
Album Name: Too Much Too Soon
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Towel on the Floor; 2. State
Publicist: Rollon Entertainment
Review: The latest from five-piece British alternative rockers is a short two-song EP, and those songs could not be more different. The first tract, “Towel on the Floor,” is lo-fi and was recorded in a home studio, while the second, “State,” co-written with electronica artist Jay Beale, is much more upbeat, with interesting vocal harmonies, a steady and driving beat plus an electronic edge to the song. It would do well on American radio. We really love “State,” and would love to hear more of that type of song from this band. We look forward to what they have in store for us.
Recommendation: As they so eloquently sing in their second song, “They keep me running.” Run out and Get it.
Artist Name: Tennessee Jed
Album Name: Pimpgrass
Label: Sam & Molly Music
Genre: Americana/funk/soul/bluegrass
Track Listing: 1. Over the Mountain; 2. Shout; 3. Can’t get There From Here; 4. Sweet Relief; 5. Cells; 6. Opie’s Intermezzo; 7. Sunup ’til Sundown; 8. Country Pimpgrass; 9. Kiss; 10. The Train for to Carry me Home
Publicist: Golden Relations
Review: Tennessee Jed calls his music “Pimgrass” aka “Bluegrass with Bling” because it is a mixture of Americana, funk and soul fused with traditional bluegrass and country music. He works with an all-star band, including Scott Vestal and Todd Parks (Sam Bush Band), Luke Bulla (Lyle Lovett, Lee Ann Womack and Ricky Scaggs), Josh Shilling (Mountain Heart), Andy Hall (Infamous Stringdusters), Patrick McAvinue and Bob Mummer (Dailey & Vincent) as well as Aaron McCune (Oak Ridge Boys, Dailey & Vincent), on this amazing release, which only makes his unique sound that much more appealing. From the amazing original, “Over the Mountain,” with McCune providing the bass backing vocals, to the stirring and reimagined covers of “Shout” and “Kiss,” Jed shows us an entirely new side of bluegrass and Americana. We love the smooth and soothing sound of “Can’t get There from Here” and “Cells,” the humor of “Sweet Relief,” the Celtic feel of “Opie’s Intermezzo,” the straight Americana feel of “Sunup ’til Sundown” (which could have been lifted from O Brother Where art Thou and “Country Pimpgrass,”
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk and Get this one today!
Artist Name: Fanny Walked the Earth
Album Name: Fanny Walked the Earth
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Rock
Track Listing: 1. Lured Away; 2. When we Need Her; 3. Walk the Earth; 4. Girls on the Road; 5. One; 6. It Happened Here; 7. Not my Monkey; 8. Cool Girl; 9. What are you Waiting For; 10. Storm-crossed; 11. Love Farmers
Publicist: Jensen Publicity
Review: Back in the 60’s, three teenagers, June Millington, Brie Darling and Jean Adamian, formed a band named Fanny, and proceeded to rewrite rock and roll history by becoming the first all girl band to be signed to a major label. Jump ahead 38 years, and Kirk Pasich and the folks at Blue Élan Records convinced them to get back together as Fanny Walked the Earth. The ladies sound like they never stopped playing, and hit the ground running on the first track, “Lured Away,” which definitely belongs on Top 40 radio. The awesomeness continues with the next track, “When we Need Her,” and continues throughout the entire album. They pay homage to their past on “Girls on the Road” (reminiscent of Wynonna’s hit, “Girls With Guitars”), rock out on “Walk the Earth,” “One” and “What are you Waiting For,” and speak their mind on so-called “friends” and human behavior on “It Happened Here” and “Not my Monkey.” “Cool Girl” is a mellow and smooth pop song that is also very radio friendly, while “Storm-crossed” is another rocker. They close out the album with “Love Farmers,” a thought-provoking ballad that leaves us wanting more. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 38 years for the next one.
Recommendation: Easily one of the best albums of 2018, this one is a must-have for your musical collection. Get it now!
Artist Name: Barrence Whitfield & the Savages
Album Name: Soul Flowers of Titan
Label: Bloodshot Records
Genre: Rockabilly/Blues/Soul/R&B
Track Listing: 1. Slowly Losing my Mind; 2. Pain; 3. Tall, Black and Bitter; 4. Tingling; 5. Sunshine Don’t Make the Sun; 6. I’ll be Home Someday; 7. Let’s go to Mars; 8. Adorable; 9. I Can’t get no Ride; 10. I’m Gonna Leave You; 11. Edie Please; 12. Say What you Want
Publicist: Bloodshot Records
Review: Barrence Whitfield @ the Savages waste no time on their latest project, rocking our blues with the first track, “Slowly Losing my Mind,” and continuing this throbbing sound through the final track, “Way What you Want.” Our favorites include “Slowly Losing my Mind,” “Tall, Black and Bitter,” “Tingling,” “I’ll be Home Someday,” “Let’s go to Mars,” “Adorable,” “I Can’t get no Ride,” “I’m Gonna Leave You,” and “Edie Please.”
Recommendation: This one is a must for every serious audiophile, whether you are a fan of the blues, rock, soul or R&B. We strongly recommend that you Get it.