All genres evolve. As they should…as they must. But sometimes, I feel that blues has evolved so far from its source that it no longer really captures that same, original spirit. Millionaires in Armani suits? Heavy rock guitarists who think that just because they know the scales, they can play the blues? Slide guitar-weilding, middle-class kinds telling us about their life? Not blues. Not blues. And, hell no, not blues.
What people need to do is follow The Stomp’n Ramblers’ example and reconnect with blues. Real blues. And that is what Kick’n Stones, their latest album, is all about.
Before “Unkind” is even halfway through, you know that you are in safe hands, a gentle, tumbling cascade of finger-picked finesse as the harmonica squalls and squeals, huffs and wheezes, in all the right ways. “Train” takes that formula and adds some space and understatement, and “Buried in A Bottle” runs with plenty of atmosphere and anticipation.
And by the time that the very timely (not to mention timeless) “Politician” comes along, you don’t know what year it is, what state, or even country you are in, and how you got here. All there is is the blues. Deft and devastating, deep and heartfelt blues!
If only all modern blues-slingers were as honest and authentic, and, let’s face it, awesome, as The Stomp’n Ramblers!
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