Songs From The Road
Ruf, 2026
9/10
The inimitable Mitch Ryder delivers a live album captured in Berlin in March 2025 at the Frannz Club, where the 13 blues tracks come on both CD and DVD.
The warm keys of “Lilli May” opens with Ryder’s distinct pipes guiding the thumping and melodic climate, and “Ain’t Nobody White” follows with Denis Palatin’s skilled drumming amid the dense guitars and gritty voice.
In the middle, “Oh What A Night” benefits much from Lea Worms’ meticulous keys that suit Ryder’s bright storytelling, while “The Thrill Of It All” showcases Tomek Germann’s animated bass playing in the driving blues rocker that’s plenty tuneful.
Deeper into the back half, the busy and dynamic “Wrong Hands” makes great use of Laura Chavez and Sean Athens’ sturdy guitar licks alongside Ryder’s flowing pipes, and “The Artist” exits with a sublime intimacy via the emotive piano and heartfelt singing.
Ryder has 30+ albums to his credit spanning 5 decades, and this live set shows him doing what he does best, i.e. playing raw and timeless music that incorporates blues, soul and rock’n’roll like no one else has or will.
Travels well with: Mitch Ryder- With Love; Albert Castiglia- Righteous Souls