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Winning Hand
After a brief sojourn on an English label, Martin and the gang are back at home and recording and releasing their own style of bar blues under their own banner-Martin even wrote the liner notes. The result is an album that is playful, intense in spots, and very listenable. Martin's fans will rejoice as he leads the madness with his powerful vocals and surefire harp. Tim Barnes has the hot guitar hand and also adds his powerful vocals to "Everybody Gets the Blues, "Burn the House Down" and "Mustang Sally." Jerry Banks, holding the beat on percussion, sings a pair of songs, including the wonderful "Life on the Road." The addition of a horn section on several cuts adds just the right touch at the right time to keep the listener on edge waiting for what might happen next. The Blues Rockers, one of Northern California's hardest working bands, are back on track and all's right with the world. Keep smiling! NOTE: See our review of the long-awaited rerelease of the early Blues Rockers albums later in the Reviews.
- Cotten
Winning Hand
After close to a dozen albums now I'm running out of superlatives! Mick, Tim, Jerry and Steve continue to do what they do best, make great music and keep their thousands of fans happy. Totally honest music delivered by an exceptionally talented band who also happen to be best of friends. While. They still cling to the hope of the 'big break' I really think that these: guys have begun to realize that the journey is more important that the destination. They have become very connected to their fans and the good feeling that goes with making others happy. Who else would give you 73 minutes of great music: a on one CD! Heck, these guys probably get back on stage five minutes before their break is over.
Nobody fuses the blues and rock quite like these guys do. Tim Barnes is an incredible guitarist, energetic and creative: you can tell he has is much fun now as he did back in 1969. He really rocks out on this disc. I'm aware that blues purists might find this disc too 'rocky' for their liking but hell, everyone needs a good dose of 'Jumpin' Jack flash' style rock once in a while and this band does it better than anyone else out there in 1999. The only real rock'n roll band left who don't sound tired and ready for rest homes, these guys can turn the switch to blues in a heartbeat. The public at large don't know what they're missing and any record label with smarts and good (no such thing?) taste should be signing and promoting the heck out of this band.
Mick Martin and The Blues Rockers are a creative machine In his liner notes, Mick tells how the writing process with this band works. Martin just happens to be the same Mick Martin who puts out the mammoth best selling video guide book each year and, besides that he is Sacramento's top deejay and a devoted family man as well (I left out astronaut and all-star NFL tackle as Mick's modest). Seriously though, his skills on harmonica are strictly upper echelon and his love of music is infectious. Blues Rocker fans will embrace this disc for what it is - a dynamic rock 'n roll album by an exceptionally talented rockin' blues band. Tons of fun with one highlight after another. 5 bottles for a band that will recharge your batteries. Those long lineups outside their gigs are there for a reason.
- Andy Grigg
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PHONE: 916.348.1955 FAX: 916.381.1124 |
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Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, & 2008 by Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers |