MATT WALSH
"HARD
LUCK"
RAW TONE RECORDS
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN"
LAURO © AUGUST 2007
The minute I laid my
eyes on MATT WALSH'S CD, "HARD LUCK", I started thinking about the
Blues Music Awards. Now notice I said my eyes, not my ears - as
of yet, I haven't heard a note of the music. However, my decision was
already made that if there were ever a category for the "BLUES' BEST 'DO", this
young man is not only getting my nomination, but he's a lock to win - pun
intended. And by the way, that's envy speaking, not sarcasm.
On "HARD
LUCK", MATT'S debut release, he also makes several other impressive first
impressions. A visit to his website will tell you that MATT WALSH is known
for his "Fifties style of Chicago Blues, with detours into Rockabilly, Swing and
Roots Rock". What it doesn't tell you is how well he does it and that he
does it with the feeling and confidence of a seasoned veteran.
Speaking of seasoned
veterans, you should recognize a few of them giving him a hand
here. Joining MATT WALSH - writer of all tracks - on electric,
acoustic, slide and national steel guitars and vocals are: BOB MARGOLIN on
guitar; JESSIE MAJOR, F J VENTRE & "WASABI" BOBBY KELLY on upright
bass; KYLE COUCH on drums; MAX DRAKE on guitar and mandolin; MATT HILL on guitar
and lap dobro; CHUCK COTTON on drums and vocals; RENE AARON on
harmonica.
A fast paced rocker
titled"LEAVING MY BABY" opens the disc with it's Producer, guest
guitarist, and obvious strong MATT WALSH influencer, BOB MARGOLIN, leading the
band on guitar. MATT'S vocals immediately make an impression on this
one, and the rhythm of CHUCK and F J highlight the track.
Other
than listening to the 3 or 4 slide guitar players who I consider to be the
cream of the crop, I generally prefer to not even here it played.
Hearing MATT on "WHY MY BABY AIN'T AROUND" just increased my
favorite slide players to a complete handful. MATT shines on this
Margolinesque track.
"BREAKING UP
OVER YOU" is good old, down home, Piedmont style roots blues at
it's best. This one features MATT perfectly pickin' an acoustic
guitar and RENE masterfully blowing into a harp. Equally as interesting
is "POINTLESS BLUES", a very laid back number featuring a vocal
duet between MATT & Chuck. The track is highlighted by MAX
DRAKE & MATT HILL on mandolin and lap dobro. Good stuff
on these two.
Fans of good
old straight up Chicago Blues will enjoy "HARD LUCK" &
"20 MORE WAYS". Both tracks feature great guitar
licks - the first by BOB and the second by MATT. Both tracks are also
highlighted by MATT belting out some good blues vocals.
Other tracks on
"HARD LUCK" include: "ONE LOOK", "HARD TO FIND",
"GOIN' OUT", "SIT AND WONDER" and "WOODY'S
RAG".
As I opened this
review, I made a humorous reference to the Blues Music Awards. However,
I'm certainly not joking when I say that if "HARD LUCK" should
catch a bit of "good luck" and fall into enough right hands, MATT WALSH may just
get himself a "Best New Artist Debut" nod.
Check MATT out at
www.mattwalshblues.com. While
you're there, tell him Pete the Blewzzman is crazy about his disc.........and
his 'do.