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The Memphis-based Tony Holiday came to my attention with his "Porch Sessions," that featured his collaborations with several blues performers. It was a highly entertaining recording, although it showcased his guests as much, if not more, than Holiday himself. This is rectified in this new release. It places his songwriting and singing to the forefront along with his harmonica playing. Ori Naftaly, of the group Southern Avenue, produced this album that was recorded at Zebra Ranch, the Dickinson family studio in Independence, Mississippi. In addition to Holiday's vocals and harmonica, this recording features Landon Stone on guitar, Max Kaplan on bass and background vocals, Danny Banks on drums, and special guests Naftaly on guitar and Victor Wainwright on keyboards. Holiday wrote all eight songs (some with John Nemeth).
Holiday is a very good, straight-forward singer with a fat tone on the harmonica. He also is a songwriter with a way to craft memorable tunes starting with "Payin' Rent on a Broken Home," a song with a catchy bass figure that may evoke an Albert King number. There is plenty to enjoy in the songs on this album from the Chicago blues of the opening number to the rocking flavor of "She Knocks Me Out," with Stone's keen slide guitar and Wainwright's boogie piano. "It's Gonna Take Some Time" is a marvelous swamp pop flavored number with Stone adding twang while Holiday sounds like he is channeling Lazy Lester here. Perhaps the top track is "Good Advice," where he strings together of various homilies his grandma gave as good advice. It is played at such a nice tempo. Holiday lays down exceptional chromatic harmonica on "Checkers on the Chessboard," and The Hustle." on "Checkers," Wainwright adds a marvelous keyboard accompaniment. The closing "Ol' Number Nine" is a solid piece of Rolling Stones' flavored rock and roll.
One might complain about the short playing time (only 30 minutes), but there is little fat or gristle in these performances that provide a welcome showcase of Tony Holiday's music.
I received my review copy from VizzTone Records. Here are Tony Holiday and Max Kaplan performing ""It's Gonna Take Some Time."
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