Eric Sardinas – Sticks and Stones

Previously posted @ http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/

^thLarger than life hard rocking blues maestro Eric Sardinas is back with the much anticipated 5 album “Sticks and Stones”.

In my opinion Sardinas is one of the greatest rock/blues & slide guitarists that has ever walked on the face of the planet and seeing him perform live is an experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.  However this is damn hard to capture on cd, but the good news is that producer Matt Gruber has managed to achieve this and retain the live gritty vocals and slide guitar sound that is Sardinas.

What we have here are 11 hard hitting country / rock / blues tracks from Sardinas with his weapon of choice being the trusty “electric resonator and brass preaching slide pipe” playing centre stage.  Mixing the eclectic styles of Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Stones, Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins will always produce a magical sound and Sardinas is the master as this cd demonstrates perfectly.

Sardinas himself lives by the mantra ”Respect tradition” and this is what he is about.  His ability to take the classic delta blues sound whilst adding that modern touch without removing the roots is second to non. Whether on the opening track ‘Cherry Wine’ or the hard hitting foot stompin’ instrumental ‘behind the 8’ he fulfils his mantra without question.  

His mojo is working.

8/10

Karl Demata “Cross the Mountain” release date – 12.09.11

Previously posted @ http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/
http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/album-reviews/cd-reviews/karldemata-crossthemountain

Probably better known for his work prog / post rock band “Crippled Black Phoenix” Karl Demata has decided it is time to release his debut CD “Cross the Mountain”.

We kick off with “Barefoot and Walking Blues” and automatically I’m reminded of the tv series “True Blood” and the musical feel based around the series.  Full of comforting foot tapping country rock / blues fluidity with guitar solos that just moves it all on to another level and this is a theme that is revisited throughout the cd, but never gets boring.

There are also sections of this CD that could quite easily sit with ease within any Pink Floyd track, especially where Karls vocals are concerned.   Vocally he’s not great, but then again neither is Dave Gilmore, but the combination of vocals and the gently caressed and expressive guitar work are both hypnotic and mind blowing and the last track “The Circus Never Comes to Town” encapsulates this perfectly.

This cd really is packed full of surprises, twists and turns that are there to be discovered by the endearing listener.  I’m on what must now be my 50^th play in the last 24hrs whilst writing this review and I am still finding little gems of musical wizardry that I had missed previously.

In conclusion: This is not just another ‘run of the mill’ cd.  This is articulate musical expressionism at its best and a must for any lover of music.

9/10