layer of authenticity and connection into the music. Joining Achison on this album is An- drew Fry on stand-up bass, drummer Dave Clark, organist Liam Kealy and backing vocal- ist John McNamara. A hint of impending doom lurks as the
opening bassline kicks “Skeleton Kiss” off the diving board with an ominous and catchy de- livery. Achison’s melodic, raspy vocals re- mind me of Mark Knopfler’s on this track. It truly is a great song to lead the album with. Achison sings of a man’s journey to find his golden fortune which ends with little more than bad luck and empty pockets in title-track “Sovereign Town”. The delicate melody and lyrical cadence is very Dylan-esque and draws my attention quite swiftly. A beautiful new life is given to Ben
Harper’s 1994 forlorn tale of lost love “Walk Away”. Achison, taking a more rustic ap- proach, fills the song with a ton of heart and soul. “Misha Bella”, a smooth jazz instru- mental showcases Achison’s guitar prowess and sounds so good. “Small Time Crime” is another catchy-as-hell song. Achicson’s funky guitar riffs have an uncanny way to burying themselves right into my subcon- scious. A magnitude of empathy washes over with each listen of “World of Blue”. It is bril- liantly written, and passionately performed. The way he makes his guitar wail is breath- taking. I love this album from start to finish.
Give Sovereign Town a listen. You won’t re- gret it.
-Phillip Smith (Be sure to visit Phillip’s music review blog at
phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com)
Earl & The Agitators Shaken and Stirrred (Foghat Records) When The Agitators re-
leased their debut EP in 2016, it blew everyone away
and left us all wanting more. Well, fellow ba- bies, the day has come and we have a rocking full length album that is a sheer rock nd roll joy.
Earl & the Agitators consists of Foghat
drummer Roger Earl, Scott Holt on guitar and vocals and Foghat members Bryan Bas- sett and the late Craig McGregor on bass. To- gether, the guys have a serious chemistry that, when blended together, reacts by burn- ing down the house. The all-star band also includes bassist
Rodney O’Quinn, guitarist Tony Bullard and percussionist Mark Petrocelli. All of the songs from the EP are here,
from the beautiful “Love Isn’t Kind,” the in- credible rocking “Honey Do List,” a great cover of Kris Kristofferson’s country classic, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and the rockabilly “High Heeled Sneakers.” Agitators originals will blow you away, from “Where’s the Rock n Roll” to “Fallen Angel,” and the band goes full on rock and roll on “Linda Lu,”and one of my favorite cuts, “Lonesome Train.” which finds Earl working the drums like a mad man. It’s a great song. “Gone Dead Train” burns with red hot
slide guitar and “Fallen Angel” rocks like Zep- pelin meets Mountain. “Upside of Lonley,” which opens the album, is downright funky and delicious. The lyrics are a hoot, with a guy looking at the positive things that come from a breakup, like watching the game all day long, playing guitar whenever he wants and only having to wash one coffee cup. Another brilliant song. Also included are a set of bonus tracks,
recorded live, that find Earl and company covering Willie Dixon’s “Let Me Love You Baby,” Delbert McClinton’s “Standin’ On Shaky Ground,” the Stones’ “Wild Horses,” Eddie Floyd’s r&b classic, “Knock On Wood,” and the “Peter Gunn Theme.” So good. So very good.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
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