Product Description With a guitar/harmonica/bass/drums line-up, Woodbrain might be mistaken for a typical blues collective -- at least until this fiery Portland, Oregon, foursome begins to play, when it quickly becomes apparent they are potentially an evolutionary force in the genre. Or several genres at once. Woodbrain's energy is incendiary; their music deeply rooted in tradition. And yet their songwriting and improvisation pull those roots in all kinds of directions informed by the generations of Son House, Jimi Hendrix, and John Coltrane. Without sacrificing an iota of heart or soul, their sound effortlessly skirts boundaries to reach blues, rock, Americana, and jam scene listeners alike. Like fellow roots-based new music trailblazers Derek Trucks, Medeski Martin & Wood, and Widespread Panic, it is the exhilaration of making music within a profound tradition, and yet without boundaries, that keeps Woodbrain's creative fires blazing. Review Even on short, structured numbers, the members' organic interplay somehow suggests improvisational space... fans of the genre will eat this stuff up. -- Willamette Week, July 1, 2009One of the best electric blues bands on the scene... Think of Woodbrain as the North Mississippi Allstars of the Pacific Northwest. Certainly this band has enough dynamite in its sound to blow up a small bridge. -- Jazz.com, August 29, 2009
C**E
Fantastic
This album is just such a great listen with a driving unique blues/rock sound that will blow you away. The leader Joe McMurrian was heavily influenced by the recordings of Robert Johnson which is heard clearly in his earlier recordings with his quartet where he plays mainly accoustic guitar. He is fully electrified here but the influence is still heard. The harmonica is amazing; much more Jason Ricci and Moreland and Arbuckle than Rick Estrin (who is fantastic, this is just a different sound). Previous reviewer referred to the energy present in Woodbrain's sound, he is spot on. The only drawback on the album to me is the last two songs "Next Stop" and "Pottsville Conglomerate" they're not just slower they really don't have that same energy and seem to me to be a bit disjointed musicaly. However, the rest of the CD far outweighs the drawback. I have hundreds of blues CD's of many styles; this is one of my favorites and I can't wait for the next recording from this group.
G**N
Best dam album that I have ever heard! it's not just good it's great
This is one hell off a recording and it will definitely get your feet moving to the sounds of the music I just cannot say enough about this album it's that good.
A**D
Jaw dropping, foot stomping good music
The debut album by the band formerly known as The Joe McMurrian Quartet is simply stunning. You feel the Delta Blues that influences the band, but this album breaks free from the constraints of traditional blues and ends up being something so much more.Port Chicago and Northbound open the album with such power and energy you feel required to turn your stereo up to it's limits, and the energy just doesn't stop. Track after track they just keep tearing it up.
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