The Europeans get it!!!

Just got this review yesterday from BLUES MATTERS. They are the biggest Blues style music magazine in Western Europe. Here's what they had to say...

RUSTY WRIGHT BAND

Playin’ With Fire

Sadson Music

Rarely does one give an unequivocal recommendation on first listening, but I have no hesitation in giving this the “just buy it” seal of approval.

From the start, this brilliant album exhibits all that is great about US blues/rock. From the wonderful guitar solos and smooth vocals of Michigan-based band leader Rusty Wright, through the harmonies and vocals of his wife Laurie LaCross Wright, classic keyboard accompaniment to rock solid rhythms and occasional horns parts, this is simply marvellous. In all styles, whether it is southern rock (‘World Upside Down’), Blues ballads (‘Messin’ Round’ and ‘Make A Liar Out Of Me’), blistering Aerosmith-type rock (‘Last Days Of Whitey Malone’), done-me-wrong Blues (‘You Ain’t Thinkin’ ‘Bout Me’) or the sensational energy of ‘What A Ride’, this band has all the chops.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s influence is plain to see in a ‘A Change In The Weather’, so much so, I half expected to hear Van Zant’s vocals! The blistering rave-up conclusion is the title track of the album. This truly is powerful stuff!

BLUES MATTERS

YEA BUDDY! That really put a smile on my face. I've always thought the Europeans were far more open minded about music. In the late 70s and early 80s they were the first to go nuts for Metal and have been strong lovers of American style music since the early Jazz days.

I guess the old saying "You're never a hero in your home town" is true for the whole country at least in the eyes of the press. We've gotten little love from the American Magazines and been downright snubbed by a lot of the "Blues Snob" crowd. But that's their loss. The people who come to see us and hear the music have become fans and they're the only folks that matter. I and the rest of the band make no apologies for our talent and our desire to fuse blues based music with other genres or to experiment. That's just our way of adding our own soul into the mix. I think it was Muddy Waters who said. Take the blues where you find it and then take it a little farther. I think he was trying to say don't let this music, this expression of the soul stagnate and die.
To be honest I fear that many folks in an effort to "preserve the past" have unknowingly stifled the musical future of the music. They get so intent on the authenticity of the sound that they lose sight of the emotion it should carry. But of course that's not everybody. There are still folks who can see the broad musical spectrum and are cool with it.

I guess we need to go play for the Europeans next. It looks like they and our fan base here really get it.

6 Days till Korea!

Rusty