Cyril Lance - Stranger In My House

I had the good fortune of first experiencing Cyril Lance live (Jack of the Wood, Asheville NC). Having never heard of him, I have to admit it was the name Johnny Neel in the billing that attracted me. No, Johnny wasn't appearing, but apparently did contribute to the recording sesssions, as he has with many musical greats.

Paying tribute to the blues, Lance credits most of his musical influence to Muddy Waters, although he has flavored it heavily with zydeco influences. Overall the session is an immersion in Louisianna swampy blues/rock. Lots of heavy SRV/Kenny Wayne Shepherd style guitar work that has a tendency to be on the heavy side of things, but still manages to stay clean and well focused. The rhythmn section is decent, but not outstanding. Their main job is to support Lance and they do it decently, but tend to the unimaginative side.

Hot Tamale Baby is the best track on the disk. Being one of the longer tracks, I was apprehensive that it would fail to hold itself together all the way through. Wrong! Written by Lance, it has a nice funky groove that begs you to get out of your seat and show some of your own moves.

Rev. Gary Davis gets a nod, with Lance funking up Light of this World, again showing that Louisianna zydeco. Not sure if it improves on the original, but its different.

Lance also gives Willie Dixon a spot with Same Thing. The vocals and guitar work are pretty good, but the rhythm section just does not give him what he needs to keep this song alive. Maybe it just needs some better mixing. I remember really liking this live.

Johnny Neel finally shows up in the last cut, Remembering Jon, a tribute to Lance's older brother. It feels intrusive to comment on something so close and personal. A lot of emotion is expressed in the guitar work, but especially in Neel's treatment of the B3. If Neel has spent his career as a sideman, it is because he does it so well, supporting the front man in a way that brings out their best. You can't help but come away feeling the deep respect and love Lance has for his brother.

I hope you get the chance to catch Cyril Lance live before you buy the CD. This band knows how to rock the house and keep it coming. The CD is good, but it really just reminds of what a great time I had hearing him live.
Blues Review rating: 4.5 out of 6 strings - a "good buy"

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Storm Warning - Breaking Out

The blues might have its roots in America, but here is some clear and convincing evidence that the British know how to take it and make it their own.

I was cruising CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/), one of my favorite sites when I am looking for something new and interesting, when up on the radar screen pops these guys. After listening to a couple of the sample clips, I took the plunge and dropped it into the cart.

My first impression was the clean and tight rhythm section, thanks to Derek White's hard driving bass setting the groove while Roger Willis' clean drum work kept the back beat. On top of this solid foundation Stuart ‘Son’ Maxwell adds great gravely vocals and harmonica work, without letting his harp dominate the sound like so many I have heard (and turned off). Bob 'Mad Dog' Moore brings excellent guitar work with good use of distortion without mucking up the sound. Ian Salisbury rounds out the sound with good, tasteful work on the keyboards.

"Bullets" opens up the setlist, starting off with a catchy guitar lick, harmonica, and vocal lead in. It quickly picks up the pace and manages to keep the foot tapping throughout. Guitar, keyboards and harmonica each get a chance to shine on this one.

"The Woman or the Blues" is a high energy blues/rock number that gives a nod to the question every man asks at one point or another. Can you really have blues without women? Mad Dog Moore really shines on this one with some really great lead work. Son Maxwell provides great vocals as well.

"Dangerous Mood" slows it down for us, showing that these guys are not a one trick pony. Derek White and especially Roger Willis get the strongest kudos on this one. Any slow blues tune is held together by the rhythm section. Without it, you might as well not go there. Very tasteful guitar and harp work as well.

"Long Gray Mare" and "Big Man" cover the middle. Good tunes and certainly worthy of your ear. If these had been the lead off tracks, there is a good chance I would have passed on the CD. As it is, they serve as decent filler material, but just didn't reach out and grab me.

"Ballad of 64" moves away from the standard rock/blues format and delves a little more into rock, with hints of R&B on the side.

"Upton Strut" is a relaxing jazzy number that takes up the back of your mind without dominating the scene. Reminds me of some old Herbie Mann stuff.

"The Blues Are Back" definitely reminds you what these guys are all about - the blues. No doubt about it. Coming back hard, they will make you sit up and take notice. Not your usual 'blues are back" theme, though. Loved the guitar work on this one.

"Whiskey Blues" finishes out the CD with a soulful number that conjurs up visions of old smoke-filled blues bars on the wrong side of anyone's tracks. A slow number that features Son Maxwell's excellent vocals and harp work. Mad Dog screams on the leads, leaving you with no doubt as to what he is capable of.

Although a great CD, I was left with the distinct impression that Storm Warning is at their best when performing live. Working in the studio has its own set of constraints, and you can almost feel the tension as they tried to keep from busting out the walls. Not surprising since just about all blues is best appreciated live. It could be a while to find out. No U.S. dates are currently showing up on their calendar. If they ever turn up anywhere in this area, I will definitely make the journey.

Blues Review rating: 5.5 out of 6 strings - a definite "must buy"

Storm Warning website: http://www.stormwarning.co.uk/

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