World On Fire
Xenon, 2025
8/10
The North Carolina native and current Brooklyn resident Reed Turchi has been through the ringer since his last album, and here he revisits his affinity for North Mississippi Hill Country blues with an excellent backing back present.
“Walk With Me” begins with Seth Barden’s plucked bass complementing Turchi’s expressive voice and mesmerizing guitar in the soft opener, and “When You’ve Got A Good Friend” follows with some bluesy spirit via the meticulous guitar and poetic vocals.
“Lay My Burden Down” and “Don’t Leave Me Baby” land in the middle. The former showcases Joseph Yount’s delicate drums amid the breathy singing, while the latter benefits from Eric Burns’ emotive guitar that suits the intimate album highlight.
Landing near the end, “Someday Baby” blends the dreamy rhythm section with Turchi’s inimitably soothing delivery, and the quick “Reprise” exits with intricate guitar, crisp drums and strategic bass for the rhythmic finish.
Turchi’s last few years have involved illness, divorce, and a cross-country move, and he’s managed to turn all those circumstances into raw and haunting song craft that was fleshed out live over two nights without any edits or overdubs and uses Americana, roots, blues and folk ideas with much care.
Travels well with: Reed Turchi- I’ve Chosen Love; Ryan Lee Crosby- Winter Hill Blues