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Dudley Taft, Summer Rain, 2017

dudley taft - summer rainWith a family tree heavily present in politics (senators, governors and even a president), becoming a guitar player is probably not the most obvious career choice. Yet Taft chose that path and never looked back. So after playing and touring with Trey Anastasio (Phish), Sweet Water and Second Coming, he is now releasing his fifth album under his own name. With influences ranging from ZZ-Top to The Cult to Jimi Hendrix.

And while I must confess I had never heard of the guy (sorry man), I must confess that if this album is anything to go by, we have been missing something here in Europe. Or at least I have. Because, even when it speaks of being dedicated to the blues, I have found this to be a pretty bad ass rocking album. And in my book that is a good thing!
So expect the songs to rock and rock with power. Yes, extended solos all over the place, but nothing of what I would consider typical blues. Even if that could be contributed to me never listening to pure blues albums. 🙂 This is 11 songs and over 52 minutes and authentic music, delivered with passion. Very melodic, varied and energetic. No dull slow 12 bar blues that lasts way too long in sight! (Not that there is anything wrong with that if you like it, it’s just not my cup of tea)

A very convincing and pleasant acquaintance, let it rain!

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Kamchatka, The Search Goes On, 2014

kamchatka - the search goed onDon’t ask why, but somehow I was under the impression that this would be a progressive rock band. Well, it is not. Instead what we have here is a band that is firmly rooted in seventies blues (hard) rock. And one that is good at that too. Which will not come as a surprise since we are dealing with Swedes and everybody knows they are always good at what they do. Something with water and education or something like that, I don’t know 🙂

To give you a reference, think Rory Gallagher at his rocking best. In this shape I really dig this type of music. It comes with a lot of melody and energy, the guitars rock, and the songs groove. So no dull standard blues schemes in too low tempo’s singing about mannish boys. (there is a time and place for that, but in this house just not very often, sorry, hope I offended no one) This is fun! Sometimes a bit of psychedelia added, and overall this has a timeless feel and a high octane party value. Impossible to sit still during playback, and also enough variety to hit play again after song 10 has come to an end. I say, search no more if you like your rock a bit bluesy, or need your blues to rock!

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