GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite
BLUES NOW
**** out of *****
The opening track "Crazy Love" on GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite's BLUES NOW, kicks in at full throttle as the burning blues are already cooking on the stove. With this killer opening number you just know you are in for a rollicking great time.
Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite teams up with modern blues men GA-20 (guitarists Matthew Stubbs, and Cody Nilsen, drummer Josh Kiggans) and the match is made in heaven. Covering blues classics and deeper cuts the quartet flow with ease around tunes by Willie Dixon, Elmore James, Otis Spann and a Musselwhite original.
Following the blazing opener is the stomping blues of "I Can't Hold Out" as Stubbs and Nilsen's guitars speak to each other with Musselwhite taking over lead vocals while still delivering strong harp blows. Another standout offering is the bands instrumental run through "Universal Rock" which displays super fast fret board flying theatrics as the guitars duel with just a touch of country twang throw in for good measure.
The collaboration works best when the tempo is fast, such as on the revved up riffs of Musselwhite's "Strange Land" and the crackling "Short Dress Woman" which simply sizzles with vibrant guitar work. When things cool down the results are fine, just not as exciting as "I'll Change My Style" and "Big Stars Falling" are both workman like but not particularly noteworthy.
"Stroll Out West" has a great strutting groove and some of Musselwhite's best harp on the album while album closer "Cristo Redentor" shifts the template from the straight blues to a more cinematic, shimmering soundscape, as the instrumental wraps up the album on a contemplative tone.
An excellent pairing that hopefully will lead to more collaborations, GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite's BLUES NOW is a stout pairing of blues strongmen.
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