Jeff
Healey - Mess Of’ Blues
Ruf Records
www.jeffhealey.com
Jeff Healey’s latest release, “Mess of Blues,”
is slated for an April 22nd release on Ruf Records (internationally)
and Stoney Plain Records (in Canada). His first blues-rock release
in eight years, it's split between recent studio recordings, a
couple recorded live at his Roadhouse club in Toronto, and a couple
recorded live at the Islington Academy in London
Though some like to think that great musicians
are elevated to a status of eminent legend once they’re deceased,
that announcement would be redundant in Jeff Healey’s case. He was
already an authentic legend before the fact. Back in 1988, when he
released his debut album, “See the Light,” listeners knew
immediately that they were hearing greatness for the first time. The
fact that he rested his Fender Stratocaster on his lap like a
lap-steel and played all of the chordal and fretboard formations in
an approach all his own rendered him truly innovative and courageous
to guitar players and music fans everywhere. He became an authentic
six-string hero instantly. The fact that he was blinded before the
age of one from a rare cancer, the sole significance in forcing him
to develop such an atypical playing style, shed a light of reverence
on his amazing talent. Though he went on to live a rewarding and
fruitful existence, garnering respect and admiration from fellow
musicians and fans worldwide, cancer once again surfaced, taking him
at the age of 41, on March 2nd, 2008. The shining light to this
story is that his musical legacy will live on, and his memory will
fill the minds and hearts of many for years to come. “Mess Of Blues”
is very much a part of that legacy as well.
“Mess of Blues” is a collection of classic
blues songs and a few good old bluesy rockers, most of which were
live favorites of Jeff Healey fans. The album opens with a
rollicking rendition of “I’m Tore Down,” with Jeff’s scorching lead
work adorning most of the song. The band then slows it down for an
eight minute version of “How Blue Can You Get.” They display an
ability to connect in this slow blues classic, and show that they’re
at home in authentic blues territory. The rhythm guitar playing of
Dan Noordermeer and the keyboard work of Dave Murphy are prominent
here. Healey drives it home in the latter part of the song with a
sweet and terse lead solo, an attribute of a genuine bluesman. They
take the audience out of Toronto and down to bayou country in “Jumbalaya,”
with bassist Alec Fraser on the vocals. The classic Americana song
segues nicely into the earthy “The Weight,” a respectful cover that
would easily appease The Band and writer Robbie Robertson.
“Mess of Blues” comes across as the pivotal
blues song on the album, as solid musicianship completes this
concise, vibrant number. Jeff’s licks flow fluidly alongside his
spirited voice. Pianist Dave Murphy is all over his own composition,
“It’s Only Money,” vocally and instrumentally. His piano phrasing,
in a Jerry Lee Lewis vein, is truly electrifying. Jeff cuts loose in
the latter part of the song with an emotional lead solo. Though it's
one of a mere couple of songs on the album to stray from blues
territory, their rendition of Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane" is
melodic and heartfelt. The band enters slow blues mode for “Sittin’
On Top Of The World,” which highlights the talents of both Healey
and Murphy once again. The album is complete with a rollicking
“Shake, Rattle, and Roll.”
“Mess of’ Blues” is an exciting live set from
the Jeff Healey Band. In the liner notes, Jeff wrote: “I am most
grateful to Thomas Ruf for making it possible for me to record this
CD, a straightforward, straight-ahead collection of performances by
a band of which I’m very proud to be a part.” We all thank you,
Jeff, for bestowing upon us a lot of wonderful music over the years.
Thanks for the memories.
Hear a stream from the album at:
www.briandholland.com
Reviewer Brian Holland is a music journalist
who resides in Massachusetts.
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