2008 Woodie Awards
Bringin' Delta Blues to Chucktown
Chris Robison/Online Reporter
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: in Review(s)
- Page 1 of 1
On his new CD, "Preachin' the Blues," local musician Bobby Reynolds proves he is a blues-guitar master.
"Preachin'" is a tribute to the great blues songs of the '20s, '30s, and the'40s. For those who only know the blues through Led Zeppelin covers, listening to this CD will help you realize where those Jimmy Page riffs actually came from.
Reynolds opens the CD with Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' Blues." On "Ramblin,'" Reynolds gives us a classic, slide guitar performance. It's tastefully done, and Reynolds' "smoky-bar" style of singing fits well with the tone of the song.
As well as giving us many songs with great slide playing, Reynolds also demonstrates a very refined, finger-picking style. Often, through his finger-picking, Reynolds makes one guitar sound like two!
According to Reynolds, he recorded "Preachin'" live in the studio without overdubs. This gives the listener the impression that he/she is listening to one of Reynolds' local live shows.
Because this is an acoustic performance, there are no screaming guitar solos here. This makes the CD refreshing to listen to. All too often guitar players seem to think that louder and faster is better, when all they really accomplish is to get on our nerves.
On "Preachin,'" Reynolds is coming from another place. If Reynolds plays anything fast, it's to make the song better, not simply to impress the listener with his virtuosity.
"Preachin'" is a tribute to the great blues songs of the '20s, '30s, and the'40s. For those who only know the blues through Led Zeppelin covers, listening to this CD will help you realize where those Jimmy Page riffs actually came from.
Reynolds opens the CD with Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' Blues." On "Ramblin,'" Reynolds gives us a classic, slide guitar performance. It's tastefully done, and Reynolds' "smoky-bar" style of singing fits well with the tone of the song.
As well as giving us many songs with great slide playing, Reynolds also demonstrates a very refined, finger-picking style. Often, through his finger-picking, Reynolds makes one guitar sound like two!
According to Reynolds, he recorded "Preachin'" live in the studio without overdubs. This gives the listener the impression that he/she is listening to one of Reynolds' local live shows.
Because this is an acoustic performance, there are no screaming guitar solos here. This makes the CD refreshing to listen to. All too often guitar players seem to think that louder and faster is better, when all they really accomplish is to get on our nerves.
On "Preachin,'" Reynolds is coming from another place. If Reynolds plays anything fast, it's to make the song better, not simply to impress the listener with his virtuosity.
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