The Rides new album firmly establishes that Blues Rock played with conviction and passion is an artistic force.
While Stephen Stills and Kenny Wayne Shepherd share front man and guitar duties, people probably forget that Barry Goldberg practically invented blues rock. Yes, he was the keyboard player in The Electric Flag and the Paul Butterfield Band and he just may be The Rides secret weapon.
That aside this album comes down to passion. Songs like Only Teardrops Fall and Can’t Get Enough of Loving You, written by Stills, Goldberg and Shepherd and their slow smoking cover of Honey Bee, and the groove run on Elmore James’ Talk to Me Baby sound like these guys are having fun!
Drummer Chris Layton and bassist Kevin McCormick just kill whether it’s on Roadhouse or the covers of Rockin’ In The Free World or The Stooges Search and Destroy.
Word Game an older gem written by Stills is a tour de force. it is without a doubt a searing highlight of this album
The stereo mix by Eric Thorngren on this album is a total blast. Essentially the band sounds real.
What a concept.
Real music by real players
JOHN EMMS is a veteran music journalist, online radio host and musician with Canadian Blues Rockers. THE SHAFTMEN. www.theshaftmen.com
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