The album gets off to a fun start with “Trouble Man,” which has a strong rhythm and some delicious work on keys. There may be trouble, but this track has the vibe of a party from its start. Also, Eddie Meyer joins the band on tenor saxophone, adding another layer of joy to the proceedings. And at the center of the fun is Al “Piper” Green. “My own people think I’m a joke/I’m a trouble man, baby/That’s what I heard all my life.” But, as he tells us here, trouble can lead to a good time. And the evidence to the truth of that statement is the music itself. In the middle of the track, the guitar takes over, leading us into possible trouble itself. There is a spoken word section toward the end. This song was written by Al “Piper” Green and Steve “The Conductor” Eagon. Then Dick Aven joins the group on saxophone on “The Hard Times.” And things have gotten serious, Piper singing: “I ain’t got no money/Car needs gas/And my two kids ain’t fed/It’s off to work/Job number two/Every dollar I make ain’t worth a dime.” I think a lot of folks can relate to the financial struggle. The line that especially stands out is this: “Everybody wants more from me, more than I can give.” Who among us is not in touch with that feeling? My rent just went up again. They want more and more, but my place is certainly no better than it was last year or the year before. Companies just expect you to give them everything you have and then some. Hard times for many people means very easy times for a few. This song gets even more powerful toward the end, when he begins to belt out line, “When morning comes, I’m taking charge of my messed-up life.” Yes! This is so good, and Shaun Murphy adds some excellent backing vocal work. This track ends with the line, “Think I need a break.”
A seriously cool bass line gets “Heart For Sale” going. Dick Aven plays sax on this one too, delivering an excellent lead in the second half. The energy then is fantastic. This is another fun track, with that completely wonderful rhythm. This song will likely have you on your feet, dancing around your home. There is also some great stuff on keys, and another strong vocal performance. “I can’t sleep at all.” But it is that bass line that really grabs me. “Man, there’s something wrong here/When you pretend to see the light/He believes what he believes/Only when the time is right,” Piper Green sings in “Preacher Blues.” Those lines are certainly striking in this strange time we find ourselves in. Many politicians and religious leaders wear their religion like a jacket, something they put on only when needed, and something that they make sure everyone around them can see them wearing when they do. But there is no love behind it, there is no real compassion. But we feel the compassion, as well as the passion, in this music. This track features another incredibly powerful vocal performance. And on this track, Chris Floyd joins the band on harmonica, delivering some fantastic work. That’s followed by “Revelation,” the album’s title track. “Now I’m coming back, coming back strong,” Piper Green sings at one point. Oh yes, no question about it. There is strength in every line he delivers. This track features more excellent work on bass, and Dick Aven delivers another wonderful lead on saxophone. Lisa Oliver Gray and Melissa Gardner provide backing vocals on this one, and I love that section toward the end where they repeat “Had a revelation” while Piper Green delivers some spoken word.
“Working Farm Blues” begins with the beat, and soon the bass is added, and I’m totally on board in those opening moments. And as more musicians come in, this just gets better and better. Eddie Meyer plays sax on this one, and that sax line is delicious and catchy. This is such an enjoyable track. “I don’t have time to waste/I have the working farm blues.” Then “Crave You” begins with a bit of banter. “She is something else, guys, oh my my.” After a bit of this, the group launches into the song, with Piper Green singing “I crave you/I want to do dirty things to you.” I could give or take that opening, but once the song gets going, it’s really good. Here he sings, “I want to misbehave with you.” Has there ever been a more potent and honest declaration of love? Chris Floyd adds excellent stuff on harmonica. And check out that guitar work. Chris Floyd also delivers some great stuff on harmonica for “Come Back Knockin’,” a heavy, rocking blues number that feels like a great force. That harmonica work helps drive the piece forward. “Well, I know I was wrong, babe/I’m feeling sorry for myself/See, it tore my heart to pieces/When I saw you with someone else.” This one also features some fantastic stuff on guitar. It also contains a playful ending, with Piper Green saying, “Let me in, baby/Knock knock.”
Shaun Murphy, Lisa Oliver Gray and Melissa Gardner provide some good backing vocal work on “Why Not Me.” “‘Cause I could do better on my own/I looked around and wondered, oh yeah/Why not me?” Then “You’re Gonna Miss Me” has a fun, jaunty rhythm that quickly has us feeling good. “Hey baby, you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone,” Piper Green sings on this one. No lack of confidence here, or on any of these tracks for that matter. There is a spoken word section in the second half. He clearly enjoys himself in those sections, and here even gives an endearing chuckle. That’s followed by “Walk With Me.” Shaun Murphy provides backing vocals on this one, and she delivers some powerful work. This is an uplifting number, an adaptation of a traditional song. “See your heart, it will lead you if you let it/The pain will heal with me.” The album then concludes with “Twenty Long Years.” This song immediately establishes a classic, laid-back blues vibe, but that certainly does not mean a lack of power to Piper Green’s vocal performance. “But I got some friends who let me, oh who let me sing the blues.” Yes, it’s one of the great blues numbers about singing the blues, and it features some delicious stuff on keys. And check out that cool guitar lead in the second half. A wonderful conclusion to a strong album.
CD Track List
- Trouble Man
- The Hard Times
- Heart For Sale
- Preacher Blues
- Revelation
- Working Farm Blues
- Crave You
- Come Back Knockin’
- Why Not Me
- You’re Gonna Miss Me
- Walk With Me
- Twenty Long Years
Revelation is scheduled to be released by August 16, 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment