JT COLDFIRE
ALWAYS AND NEVER
SELF-RELEASED
GET IT ON (IN THE BACK OF THE BAR)–IT’S ALRIGHT WITH ME–RATHER DIE IN MY SLEEP–LET’S GO FOR A DRIVE–FEELIN THE MUSIC–TOAST TO A BLUESMAN–I’M THE BEST THING YOU EVER HAD–PARTY LOVIN PAPPA–TELL ME MAMA–TIRED MAN’S BLUES
Texas bluesman JT Coldfire has heard all the connotations of always/never that one could think of–“you’re ALWAYS on the road and NEVER at home,” or “you’re ALWAYS out late and NEVER home arly,’ and the like, but one thing has remained constant over his career as a musician–he ALWAYS gives his all every night, and that’ll NEVER change. And so it goes with his latest release, aptly titled “Always And Never.” This one is ten cuts of some of the hottest blues this side of the Rio Grande. All ten are originals that follow JT’s mantra of lettin’ the good times roll all night long.
Give a listen to the leadoff shuffle, a tale of hormones overtaking common sense, “Get It On (In The Back Of The Bar), punctuated by JT’s red-hot leads and a double shot of harp and sax from Roland Guajardo and Kaj Sundqvist, respectively. Doin’ what makes you happy in life, even if you “don’t live forever,” is the theme of “It’s Alright With Me,” with a cool, Slim Harpo-inspired vocal effect. This effect is used again in “Toast To A Bluesman,” where JT will “forever be swimmin’ in whiskey and women!” And, the set closes with “Tired Man’s Blues,” featuring accordion from Clas-Goran Dahlberg, adding to the Tex-Mex feel of this one.
We had two favorites, too. JT is a true “Party Lovin’ Pappa,” complete with a “Guitar and a ’55 Caddy” ready to rumble! And, even tho he might be down on his luck and drowning his sorrow in a bottle of gin, he’s gettin’ by with the help of “Feelin’ The Music.” This one is a sweet acoustic jam with JT’s guitar and harp from Roland.
JT Coldfire has a tattoo that reads “Ain’t No Saint,” and one listen to “Always And Never” will make you a believer, just as we are. This is a helluva sophomore set of rockin’ blues that needs to be played LOUD to be fully appreciated, so grab your baby and a cold one and get busy gettin’ down! Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow
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