Review of Chris Hicks' - "Dog Eat Dog World" - By Bruce Wall
In a Dog Eat Dog world Chris Hicks is cooler than Scoobie Doo... I had been anxiously awaiting the release of this CD for over a year now. Chris is one of my favorite artists working today. Chris is a very versatile musician mastering every instrument he touches. He is a skilled guitarist, keyboardist, harmonica player, as well as vocalist. He is the music director for The Marshall Tucker Band, as well as their lead guitarist. This CD features Paul Hornsby producing, and lots of special guests. Chris blends Blues, Funk, and Soul to achieve a truly rockin' southern sound. This is in my top three new CD's to come out in 2008 and definately recommend it for all you Southern Blues/Rock fans out there. Yesterday I had the CD blaring when a Nashville producer associate of mine stopped by. He immediately commented on what a great CD it was. So, do yourself a favor, pre-order yours at...
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7608430
Trivia: The guitar seen on all the photos for the CD is a George McCorkle signature Honey guitar given to Chris by George McCorkle and myself. Only 100 of these were made. There are only a few left as most went to friends and family of George who sadly passed away last June. If you are interested in acquiring one of the few remaining guitars go to.... http://www.southernalliance.org/Store/. Look for an interview from Chris Hicks coming soon...
Review of "Carolina Dreams '77" - Marshall Tucker Band - By Bruce Wall
This CD/DVD set is probably the greatest piece of Southern Rock history to be released in over twenty years. The folks at Ramblin records took a lot of time and expense restoring these tapes for release. It is one of the only complete live shows I am aware of in mainstream distribution. It captures The Marshall Tucker Band in their full prime at the peak of their career. Some creative engineering had to be done to restore some of the damaged parts on the tape. I have to take my hat off to my friend Doug Gray for making sure this was released for all to see. Like Ronnie Van Zant said, "You have to be a fan of The Marshall Tucker Band before I will sit and have a drink with you." So if you only buy one CD or DVD all year buy this one.... You will not regret it. Available at Walmart and
www.MarshallTuckerBand.com
Review of "Brothers of the Southland" CD - By Bruce Wall
I don't care which Southern Rock band you are a fan of, this new CD is for you. The band features Dangerous Dan Toler (The Gregg Allman Band, The Allman Brothers, Dickey Betts & Great Southern), Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck and Hank Jr.), Steve Gorman (Black Crowes), Henry Paul (Outlaws, BlackHawk), Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan), Bo Bice (American Idol). I was honored to witness this project come together from day one. Was invited into the studio, first rehearsals and their first show. If you want to witness the pure magic of music that seems to be missing these days, this is it!! Look for a spring release of the CD and a Tour. Until then, you can download the whole CD at
www.SouthernAlliance.org/smashop
Trivia: This was the last project George McCorkle was involved with prior to his passing. By the magic of modern technology, George appears on "Can't You See" with Bo Bice. He also wrote 3 of the tracks on the CD. On another note, the Myspace page and download store had over 15,000 hits within a matter of hours.
Review of Jimmie Van Zant - "My Name Is Jimmie" - By Bruce Wall
What can I say about this CD? I loved this project so much I invested my own money into it. It is 100% Van Zant and 1000% Jimmie.... Jimmie and producer Timothy Eaton achieved a distinct Jimmie Van Zant sound. This a a complete departure from Jimmie's first CD "Southern Comfort". It demonstrates that Jimmie is a lot more than just a member of the Van Zant family. All I can say is go to
www.JimmieVanZant.com to preview the CD and Video. The CD is slated for release this spring along with a performance at the CMA Fanfare in Nashville. Way to go Jimmie!!! Great CD and I am proud to be part of it and call you friend!!
Review of Bo Bice's "See The Light" - Bruce Wall
This CD is pure Southern Rock!! I spoke with Bo about the CD at the Brothers of the Southland rehearsals in Nashville. Bo was excited about the CD because it was the first CD that was pure Bo Bice. Bo had control over the content on this CD and shows his Southern Rock roots with an excitement only Bo can provide. I can not find a weak track on this CD and again, I would say this is truly one of the best CD's of 2008. The video for Bo's first single "Witness" has topped the charts on VH1 for weeks. Way to go Bo!!! This again goes to show Southern Rock is alive and well. The record industry could stand to learn from CDs like Bo Bice and Brothers of the Southland. Give the people good music and they will listen and purchase. To listen to tracks and order go to
http://www.bobice.com/music#120
Review of Van Zant's "My Kind Of Country" - Bruce Wall
This CD is the follow up to Johnny and Donnie's "Get Right with the Man" CD. The boys show the world not only are they Southern Rock's Royal Family, but the Kings of Country. I love this CD because in normal Van Zant style the songs touch the heart one minute, make you laugh the next. Johnny and Donnie never disappoint with music that has meaning. This CD is probably my favorite of the year because so many of the songs hit home with me. As a father, "That Scares Me" has become an anthem to me. The song "Friend" took my breath away. With the loss of my best friend, Southern Fried co-creator, and Marshall Tucker guitarist, George McCorkle, this song really hit home. It said everything I felt and wanted to say to my friend. If you are a Country fan, Southern Rocker or just a fan of good music, you absolutely need this CD... Check it out at
www.TheVanZants.com
Review of Matt Zeiner Band – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman
"Matt Zeiner" is an album of the Dickey Betts Band (vox/keyboard). He’s brought his skills to his own band....a self-declared combo of Rock, Soul, Funk and roots. Not surprisingly, Matt counts The Allman Brothers, Dickey Betts and Miles Davis as his influences, and yet, his voice has a Van Morrison quality to it. “The Crash” has a Classic Rock/Southern Rock ballad mix sound. “This is The Life” shows his ability to write thoughtful lyrics. “Can’t Get a Nickel for a Dime” has a power-Country ballad quality to it. “Melody” has some Allman Brothers-like riffs. His debut CD, “Live on a Summer Night”, is well produced with clear sounding vocals.
Review of Hammertorch – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman
Hammertorch is a newly formed Country-Rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They list as their influences The Band, CCR and Tom Petty. There are five musicians in the band and they have a solid Southern sound, with even a few Skynyrd-like and MTB-like riffs. The lead singer has a very honky-tonk kind of voice.
Not content to just throw out covers, their twangy songs include “Dark Country Night”, “Murfreesboro Motel” and “Flat Tire.” I’m sure they provide a fun, good ol’ boy experience live. You can see them at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville.
Review of Blue Eyed Grass – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman
Blue Eyed Grass is a modern “new- grass” duo, with modern Country and Bluegrass influences, a la Allison Krauss or even Kathy Mattea. The duo is Delnora Reed (who was a finalist in the Miss West Virginia pageant) and Jayron Weaver (who you might remember from Nashville Star 2005). They both play guitar and mandolin.
Blue Eyed Grass has a sophisticated sound that you can hear in songs like “Sweet Intoxication”, “Fill Me Up” and “As I Am”. While the instrumentation is fairly simple, the vocals are clean and soothing. For more information, check out
http://www.myspace.com/blueeyedgrass.
Review of Karen Collins and the Backroads Band – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman
West Virginia born, but Maryland/DC-based Karen Collins is a real old school country singer, who will remind you of other women who got their start in DC: Hazel Dickens and Patsy Cline. She’s got the high-pitched yodel and honky-tonk thing going. Her band is made of 4 people, complete with steel pedal guitar, etc. Songs like “Guitar Queen” and “Tail Light Blues” have a retro sound that should appeal to lovers of Classic Country.
She can be seen at outdoor fests all over the DC area.
Music Reviews - Bruce Wall/Tamar Fleishman
