CD’s, VINYL & DOWNLOADS
Marcus King El Dorado (Fantasy) I am among the fortu-
nate ones who was able to see Marcus King perform as a mere child while liv- ing in his hometown of Greenville, SC. Like so
many, I was a fan of his Dad’s music (Marvin King) he debut solo album from Marcus King, and the entire family was musically talented. It was a lot like seeing Derek Trucks at age 12 play- ing in Greenville at Al’s Pumphouse. Marcus was a child prodigy just like Derek. His first ever solo record, El Dorado, is full
of passion, soul and red hot guitar playing. It’s a bit more acoustic/folky sounding than his band albums, but every bit as good. There are soul music, gospel, R&B and country all blended into a totally unique and captivating sound. As much as I enjoyed his Marcus King Band releases, this “solo” album quickly became my favorite. King’s voice never sounded better, and there’s a matu- rity to it that has grown out of his constant tour- ing.
Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) acted as
producer at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Studio in Nashville, Dan co-wrote the 11 songs on El Do- rado along with A-list writers on the tracks in- cluding Pat McLaughlin, Paul Overstreet and Ronnie Bowman. King started the Marcus King Band at age
15. Within just a few years, Warren Haynes re- leased the group’s first album. When Auerbach heard King, though, he thought his sound could translate even beyond the jam-band world. Now, at the age of 23, Marcus has released his finest, most honest record yet. All 12 tracks are excel- lent, with a few standing out above the rest. The soul soaked “One Day She’s Here” has a real ‘70’s Soul Train vibe, as does “Break; “Wildflowers and Wine” is amazing, with a true Otis Redding feel; “The Well” is the hardest rocking tune on the album, with a Warren Haynes/Gov’t Mule feel.
That said, “Turn it Up” manages to rock out as well; “Too Much Whiskey” blends country and blues with a Bo Diddley beat. Marcus’ guitar playing can be soulful and subtle like B.B. King, and then scorch like early Peter Green in Fleetwood Mac. He has a long list of gui- tar and vocal influences, and theyt all blend into one unique artist.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Nandha Blues Nandha Strikes Again (Meat Beat) Flying in all the way
from “The Boot” (Italy) is the red-hot trio called Nandha Blues with our old friend Max Arrigo on guitar
and lead vocals, Alberto Fiorntino on bass an Roberto Tassone on drums. The guys are joined by Guietti Roberto on harp and other guests on this rocking blues album. All nine songs were written by Max, who has obviously been influ- enced by the great American and European musi- cians of the 20th and 21st century. There are hints of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Allman Brothers band, just to name a couple. “749 Blues” kicks off the set with power
soaked drums and a gut punch, and the entire record rocks from that point until the final notes of “The Mouth of the Lion.” While all of the tracks are killer, “Bring Me Some Water” is currently my favorite. That may change after a few more spins. What will not change is my opinion that these are three smoking and talented musicians. Max just kills it on lead guitar, vacillating between “straight” leads and slides, and the rhythm sec- tion provides a rock-solid bed for Max to build upon. The bass player, Alberto, kicks major ass. The producer did an outstanding job mixing. The bass is in your face, right where it belongs, not buried in the mix like so many albums have. “What You Got” rocks the blues hard, with guest
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