THE PAUL DESLAURIERS BAND
RELENTLESS
BIG TOE PRODUCTIONS BT-PPDB-4013
STEWTRO ROCK (JUST GOT BACK)–I’M YOUR MAN–TEN FEET TALL–STILL UNDER MY SKIN–WIPES AWAY YOUR SIN–UP IN THE AIR–WE JUST MIGHT–IF I STILL HAD YOU–GONNA MAKE YOU MOVE (PT. 1 AND PT. 2)
The Paul DesLauriers Band (you pronounce it “dee loree yay”) burst on the scene with their self-titled 2014 debut, then parlayed that success into a second-place finish in the Band Division of the 2016 IBC’s a few months ago in Memphis. The roll just keeps getting sweeter for these guys as they have just released “Relentless.” It’s ten more band originals that show why they are one of contemporary blues-rock’s best trios. Each of the players are world-class musicians in their own right. Along with singer-guitarist Paul DesLauriers, there is Greg Morency on the bass, and Sam Harrison on drums, and they possess a delightfully-uncanny musical chemistry.
Paul takes some hard looks at relationships in this instant-gratification age. In “Ten Feet Tall,” his confusion with a lover is translated thru his guitar lines, knowing that “this game always turns out the same!” Stabbing, staccato guitar bursts fuel the story of that one girl, who, no matter what, always seems to be firmly-ensconced “Still Under My Skin, with all her sweetness and sin.”
Being based in Canada, these fellows definitely know a little bit about life on the road, too. “Up In The Air” is a fine shot of contemporary blues-rock dealing with “chasing that Siren’s song,” while Paul’s slide guitar is the star of “Wipes Away Your Sin,” as having your moment on the stage makes it all worthwhile.
We had two favorites, too. We are sure the crowds and the judges as well down in Memphis loved the Sun-blessed rockabilly zest of “I’m Your Man,” while the frenzied pace and double-entendre’-filled lyrics of “We Just Might” is perfect for “walkin’ that line between wrong and right!”
With the three members of the Paul DesLauriers Band being such stellar players, the whole is truly greater here than the sum of the parts. “Relentless” is powerful and well-played original blues that is a winner all the way! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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