MERRELL FANKHAUSER & ED CASSIDY: review

http://www.therocktologist.com/fankhauser-cassidy-band---on-the-blue-road.html

Fankhauser Cassidy Band - On the Blue Road Review by: Daniel Pavlica Year: 2014 Produced by: Merrell Fankhauser Label: Gonzo Multimedia Tracks: 1. Further On Up The Road 2. 32/20 Blues 3. Bright Lights Big City 4. Excited 5. Walking The Dog 6. Louisiana Blues 7. High Heel Sneakers 8. Tale Of Misty Mountain 9. Posession Over Judgment Day 10. On The Blue Road 11. Nicky's Song 12. Hot Night In Louisville 13. Milk Cow Blues 14. Who Shout The Lighthnin' 15. Goin' Back To Delta 16. Stolen Guitar Blues 17. Brian Berry Blues 18. Cosmic Lady 19. Voodoo In The Jungle 20. Cassidy's Big Beat  CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO: Rainbow Bridge Revisited DVD/CD - £9.99 Area 51 Suite 2CD - £9.99 Tiki Lounge Vol 1 DVD/CD - £12.99 The Best Of 2CD - £11.99 The Return To Mu CD - £9.99 Tiki Lounge Vol 2 DVD/CD - £12.99

Guitar icon Merrell Fankhauser and Spirit drum legend Ed Cassidy team up for this rare and intriguing collection of blues covers, spiced up with a handful of original cuts. Ultimately, these are simple still for the most part mesmerizing takes, rudimentary on one side and utterly distinctive in both feel and execution on the other. It’s heartwarming to hear Fankhauser on such fine form on numbers like “Further on Up the Road” or Johnson’s “Possesion Over Judgment Day”. Evidence of healthy ideas being neatly executed through fine musicianship arises with “Tale of Misty Mountain”. This one gets away with Fankhauser’s strongest vocals, and features a steamy saxophone solo, making it one of the albums highpoints.  Also topping the bill are Peter Greenish “Hot Nights in Louisville” and “Who Shout the Lightnin’”, which is simply wonderful. And it’s a pity that the album also stands on esoteric mid tempo shuffles that often lead nowhere. “32/20 Blues” is one such occasion, and the same thing happens on “Bight Light Big City” and “Walking the Dog”. It’s kind of annoying – the talent is there, but for some reason, the scent of sheer musical inertia is overpowering. 6 out of 10 A review copy of this album was provided by the record label Gonzo Multi