Rock n Roll to Feed the Soul-
Ear X-tacy Records/Paradigm Shift Productions
Production Sampler vol. 1
Artist: The Mighty Jeremiahs and Taildragger
Label: Ear X-tacy Records/Paradigm Shift Productions
Length: 11 Tracks/36:57
Beneath each of these tracks is a simmering blues n' roots background that
showcases the talented pedigree of the performers. The Mighty Jeremiahs
include Mobile, Alabama born vocalist/harmonica player/saxophonist Jimmy
Hall (founding member of the seminal southern group Wet Willie, member of
the Capricorn Records family and vocalist on Jeff Beck's 1985 "Flash"
album), guitarist Greg Martin (founding member of the Grammy-winning
Kentucky HeadHunters who also subbed for Ed King in Lynyrd Skynyrd on the
1992 tour), and former Black Cat Bone rhythm section/current Taildragger
members Mark Hendricks (bass) and Jon McGee (drums). Blending nicely with
the core group is a heaping-helping of featured guest appearances by Bonnie
Bramlett, members of The Kentucky HeadHunters, Delbert McClinton Band
keyboardist Kevin McKendree, Ricky Lee Phelps, Christian guitar legend Phil
Keaggy, Canadian soul man Danny Brooks, Curtis and Ricky Burch, Christian
blues-rocker Darrell Mansfield and many others.
Guitarist/vocalist/drummer Jon McGee and bass guitarist/vocalist Mark
Hendricks head up Taildragger, Kentucky's premier rock-n-roll power trio.
Formed from the ashes of Black Cat Bone in the early 90's, Taildragger
continues to forge their blues-laden sound throughout the region. Guest
musicians adding extra spice to Taildragger's sampler contribution is
Kentucky Headhunters/Mighty Jeremiahs member Greg Martin, along with Kevin
McKendree, Danny Brooks, Rob Hulsman and Ken Weber.
But the heart of these two bands is the blues/blood relationship between
Martin and stepson Jon McGee. These boys were born to boogie in a bluesy
sort of way, and their kinship goes beyond family into a deep love for roots
rock, rhythm and blues in many forms. Martin's Mighty Jeremiahs mainly
focus on soul-stirring Gospel, with Good News lyrical messages while
Traildragger cuts an earthy, classic roots music lyric path. However, the
similarities in each band and musical styles run deep and wide. The
powerhouse co-production by David Barrick also serves to unite the sound and
bust the woofers with thunderously heavy and huge sounds.
Rock n Roll to Feed the Soul features 3 cuts each from the upcoming
full-length releases from the self-titled Mighty Jeremiahs release and the
Skeptic Tank from Taildragger, and 4 bonus tracks featuring standout
performances by each band. The Jeremiahs cuts feature "Ain't No Room in
this House for Hell," a hilariously light-hearted bit of boogie blues-rock
fun featuring a novel vocal performance from Richard Young of the Kentucky
HeadHunters. "Wicked Ways" is a heavy rockin' blues cut featuring a cry out
to the Good Lord to save a man lost in sin. The smooth Memphis soul standard
"That's How Strong My Love Is" (made famous by Otis Redding) features an
incredible vocal performance by Hall that will have you singing to your
sweetie and wishing you could play guitar along with Martin! The 3
Taildragger cuts take a more raw and raucous rocking turn with the
oh-so-funktified instrumental "Disfunkshun Junction," the hooky and rhythmic
rocking "You Had it Comin'" (McGee turns in an exceptional vocal turn in
this track), and the hefty-rocking blues/rock of "Below the Bottom." The
stellar bonus tracks include the vocals of Bonnie Bramlett on "Takin' Back
My Name," the snappy country picking then psychedelic blues (from Merle
Travis to Jimi Hendrix in one song, weird but it works!) instrumental "In
Through the Out Door", and two hot-n-heavy blues rock growlers from
Taildragger ("She's So Lazy" & the Alex Rice Miller's twisted "Santa Claus."
Rock n Roll to Feed the Soul just might be the best $3.99 you will ever
spend on a CD, and it will serve to whet your whistle for the blues rocking
goodness to come from The Mighty Jeremiahs and Taildragger. Don't miss this
one.
Hear samples of the tunes:
http://taildraggerrocks.com/paradigm/samples.html
Check out the bands:
http://www.mightyjeremiahs.com/
http://www.taildraggerrocks.com/
DJ Barry hosts Soul Frequency (http://www.soulfrequency.com), a web radio
station & a weekly FM radio show showcasing progressive rock, instrumental
rock, power-pop, psychedelic rock, rock classics and more-great rock for the
ages!