Cheat The Devil
Whiskey Bayou, 2023
8/10
The singer-songwriter and guitarist Anthony Rosano is well versed in the sounds of the blues, but his formula certainly isn’t easy to classify, as he brings Kyle McCormick and Jake Fultz along for these powerful and diverse 10 tracks.
“Sweet Little Devil” opens the listen with Rosano’s spirited guitar alongside McCormick’s thumping drums in the dense blues rocker, and “My Baby Gets Around” follows with soaring guitar licks and Fultz’s precise bass for the soulful climate.
Halfway through, the crunchy and dynamic “Sin City” is full of soaring riffs and expressive singing that’s not short on melody, either, while “Jonesboro Road” trims the pace back with thick grooves from the skilled rhythm section.
Close to the end, “Shook” spotlights Rosano’s guitar acrobatics amid the vivid storytelling of the darker delivery, and “King Bee” exits with a timeless and energetic version of the blues that comes with a hint of cautiousness, too.
A listen that goes along well with artists like ZZ Top, Gov’t Mule or Tab Benoit (who produced the album), Rosano and company make the sorts of blues that will resonate globally and always be relevant.
Travels well with: Alastair Greene- The New World Blues; Chickenbone Slim- Damn Good And Ready