Need A Friend
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The guitarist and vocalist Christopher Dean is joined by Carl Snyder, Dave Hollingsworth, Mike McMillan, Steve Lombardi, Walter Jarrett and Nate Meyers for these 13 straight ahead blues tunes.
“What Have I Done Wrong” starts the listen with Hollingsworth’s thumping drums and McMillan’s spirited guitar for the animated interpretation of the Magic Sam classic, and “Need A Friend” follows with a charming shuffle that benefits from Jarrett’s frisky bass and plenty of grooves populating the Memphis Minnie track.
Deeper into the listen, the soaring guitar and rhythmic “Mattie May” uses Meyers’ harmonica superbly via the Baby Boy Warren selection, while the powerful and slower paced “Call Me If You Need Me” spotlights Snyder’s finger acrobatics on piano that certainly does justice to the Snooks Eaglin anthem.
Approaching the end, the bouncy “Appalachian Women” swings with some country charm thanks to Dean’s meticulous guitar and the animated rhythm section, and “Blue Serenade” exits with a bit of grit populating the Baby Face Turner song that, despite being penned in 1952, sounds very modern today.
All the players present have excellent resumes, and their collective strength makes for a timeless blues adventure that you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Shawn Pittman- Make It Right; Albert Castiglia- I Got Love