NICK GORDON

CHRONIC BLUES PARTY

2008-01-16

Nick Gordon has crafted a disc that plays at the three way intersection between the blues, pop and rock. While many of the cuts have a blues structure and dynamite guitar or harmonica solos they also have a decided lightness that separates them from standard blues fare. A case in point is "Tapcity" which has some fine harmonica work alongside Gordon’s breezy vocals about people who look rich but are all tapped out. Elsewhere, as on Baltimore, the blues take a vacation while Gordon does his best Dan Fogelberg imitation. Gordon also channels the Classic IV’s Spooky on "Bluesman" where the light percolating groove seems at odds with the boastful lyrics about his prowess on guitar and the old black cat bone, which also makes its obligatory appearance on "Black Cat Bone". On "The Wheel" Gordon lays down a heavy rocking groove and cosmic lyrics straight out of the 70’s- Journey, Kansas and Styx fans raise your lighters! Those looking for a more traditional blues sound should go straight to "Hellhounds" where Tom “T-Bone Steak” Mollinelli’s harmonica evokes John Popper and the fleet fingered guitar work could fall from Buddy Guy’s hands. "Let’s Make a Deal" and "The Bitch" are also straight blues cuts with the former featuring salacious lyrics about trading love for money. Overall enjoyable, albeit far from a straight blues release. Smitty

Quick Links:

• Nick's My Space
• Swingsuit Records