The Georgia Flood review….January 16, 2014…

THE GEORGIA FLOOD

THE GEORGIA FLOOD

MIDNIGHT CIRCUS PRODUCTIONS

CROSSCUT SAW–BAD TIMES ARE HERE–DUST MY BROOM–ALL YOUR LOVE–STREET WALKING WOMAN–I DON’T WANT NO WOMAN–I THOUGHT I WAS A MAN–I AIN’T SICK–MESSIN’ WITH THE KID–LIE TO ME–SIDETRACKED–HARD LUCK WOMAN

The phrase “oh, to be young again” certainly fits the Georgia Flood band perfectly.  Consisting of brothers Brooks Mason on lead guitar and lead vocals, and Lane Kelly on bass and backing vocals, Brooks is all of 17, and Lane is 21.  The old man of the group is drummer Kyle Egart, who is only 22!  They represented Atlanta GA in the 2013 IBC’s, and they have just released their self-titled full-length debut, and it is a gem, indeed.  Five originals and seven covers offer an overview of their varying styles and sounds, and, as you listen to their youthful exuberance, it makes you realize why you became a blues fan in the first place!

For such a young player, Brooks Mason has a sound knowledge of many of his guitar heroes.  No one hardly ever plays Freddie King’s “Sidetracked” any more, but these fellows rip thru it as if it was written by them.  And, Brooks’ vocals are well beyond his years, too.  Even a seasoned veteran bluesman might have trouble with some of Magic Sam Maghett’s songs, given Sam’s tricky pitch and timbre cahanges, but, on this set, Mason gives a fine read on the minor-key “All Your Love,” while “I Don’t Want No Woman” comes outta the gate swingin’ and never lets up.

The band originals also show a maturity beyond their years as well.  In the Hendrix-like “Bad Times Are Here,” we have to remember that the fellows are all 20-somethings, and haven’t lived long enough to know anything different than “a struggle” and “paycheck to paycheck” in reference to today’s economy.  A love affair that’s on the skids finds the doctor telling Brooks, “I Ain’t Sick, that’s just the blues.”  It’s a fine slow-blueser, with a couple of excellent solos for good measure.  And, the fellows all have a real good time with a soulful, Memphis-styled original, “Lie To Me.”

We had two favorites, too.  Nobody seems to do “Dust My Broom” much any more, either, and it’s one of the songs that started us down the blues path, and Brooks lets his slide ride long and hard on this stompin’ trip “down to East Monroe!”  And, “Thought I Was A Man” has another quirky vocal intonation that Brooks handles with ease, as he tries in vain to figure out just what it is that “all these pretty girls just don’t understand!”

Sheer raw, vibrant, unbridled passion for the music they love that accompanies their youth is what we liked best about The Georgia Flood, followed closely by their varied repertoire.  Stay young as long as you can, fellows, and always bring that fire every time you play!  Until next time…..Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society.