Too Slim and the Taildraggers (Blues) - Trouble
Blues, Rock, Americana
Tennesee, United States
Overall Impression: Having grown up on the blues, I always look forward to coming across bands that have a clear passion for the genre and continue to keep the style alive and kicking, Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble are one such band. "Trouble" embodies the very best that the genre has to offer with its groovy hooks, wildly expressive performances, and an undeniable sense of character. "Trouble" is one rip-rollicking good time and it clearly comes from a place of pure affection for the Blues genre.
Strongest Point(s): The sense of melody this track has is quite simply brilliant! The melodic interplay between the various instruments is fantastic, and the way the main melodic lines are further strengthened by having them played on numerous instruments is an excellent way to both strengthen and add additional tonal color to a line. A great example can be heard from 0:31 where the harmonica, lead guitar, and vocals join forces to express one of the track's terrifically catchy melodies together. It goes without saying that the performances are very strong indeed, this is clearly a group of accomplished musicians who have great chemistry amongst them, as a result, the performance feels both animated and organic in its execution, quite simply, the sounds of a band truly enjoying what they're doing, resulting in a highly engaging tune from start to finish. The recording and overall mix are solid, the performances have been captured wonderfully, ensuring all intricate details of each individual performance have been successfully represented and the mix is both well balanced and sonically fitting in regards to the style, by this I mean a certain amount of grit and dirt (The good kind) has been retained to help really capture the more rugged quality that the blues genre is synonymous with.
Target Audience Appeal: Lovers of classic blues will certainly have a whale of a time with this one.
Artist target suggestions: Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Johnny Winter, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Freddie King, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Albert King, Johnny Lang, Roy Buchanan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Albert Collins, Jimmie Vaughan, The Derek Trucks Band, Buddy Guy, The Marcus King Band, John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.