DAVID LUMSDEN AND FRIENDS
HUES OF BLUES
YOU GOT TO LOSE–FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD–YOU ARE RUINING MY BAD REPUTATION–BRUSH WITH THE BLUES–WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH THE MILL–RAISED ME RIGHT–ON BENDED KNEE–THRILL IS GONE–CUT YOU LOOSE–ROLLIN’ AND TUMBLIN’–GEORGIA ON MY MIND–RAIN SONG
Regular readers of this humble forum may recognize David Lumsden as the long-time guitarist for Hurricane Ruth for the last six or so years. Now, he’s stepped out on his own, and, with sho’ nuff a little help from his friends, he has just released “Hues Of Blues,” twelve cuts that show the versatility of this fine artist in tackling many varieties of what we know as blues.
David wastes no time at all in getting into the spirit of the album, leading off with his raw, raspy read of Earl Hooker’s “You Got To Lose,” which features one dazzling solo after another! David busts out all his knowledge of the guitar in successfully tackling Jeff Beck’s simmering instrumental, “Brush With The Blues,” while another of David’s friends, fellow guitarist Andon Davis, punctuates the set-closing cover of Led Zep’s “Rain Song,” with cleverly-spaced slide runs that adds to the overall vibe of this instrumental. David and Central Illinois legend Bill Evans swap more licks than Hagler v, Hearns on a down-and-dirty “Further On Up The Road,” serving as one of our favorites! Reggie Britton and Steve “Harp Man” Mehlberg get their grind on in the good times of “What’s The Matter With The Mill,” with Ezra Casey gettin’ into some good piano, too.
Wayne Carter adds the vocals to our other two favorites, a beautiful read of “The Thrill Is Gone,” and a reverential-to-Brother-Ray’s “Georgia On My Mind.”
David Lumsden And Friends, with “Hues Of Blues,” is just that–differing styles of blues that are raw and powerful. And, they remind us why we fell in love with the blues in the first place! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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