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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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The
Average Blues
Hammond Fest 2002- At The Crossroads Indie Various artists including Burke Engraffia, Peter Simone, Lance Younger, Crispin Schroeder, Preston Smith & Danny Acosta, Chris Belleau, Scott Icenogle, Casey Campbell, Kim Smith, Todd Washko, Chris Benson and Marc Engeran Spring Records 2002 HF0001 15 tracks-60 minutes Hammond, Louisiana must be a musical town if the artists presented on this CD are any indication. There are 15 tracks on the CD with artists and music ranges from blues to zydeco to Latino. This compilation is, unfortunately, average. Four are standouts; four are below average and the rest fall somewhere in between. The beginning song, "Everything is Wet," concerns Noah and the flood. Burke Ingraffia's interpretation of "…everything's wet and it feels so good…" makes the listener eagerly wait for the next song. However, "At The Crossroads," the title song in fact, is an intermediate jam session of musicians. After "Today," which has uneven sound reproduction, comes "Bluesman," sung by Scott Icenogle (also on bass) and Lance Younger on guitar. We are back on top again. Then, the listener is put on hold with "In The Everyday" and unclear lyrics. We are back on top with "Latino." Preston Smith on Flugel Horn and Danny Acosta on acoustic guitar are a great team. Chris Belleau on vocals tears into "What's Shakin' Down The Bayou" to good effect in zydeco style. However, the musicians on "Long Black Highway" give this CD a Branson-effect that sounds out of place. Also, I was straining to catch the lyrics and the guitar amplification was overpowering. . "Live in Peace" and "More Than Friends" were done fairly well, but "Sam" with Casey Campbell on vocals had an annoying "squeak" throughout the song. Toward the end of the CD are two standouts again, there is "12 Decembers" sung by Todd Washko ("…sleepless nights in a gasoline dream…this is my New Year's Day, I found you…") and "Which Road Do I Choose" by Marc Engeran ("…walk away or stay…") Lyrics come through clear and instrumentation clear and even. Alas, if only this CD was consistent in this respect but it is not. Copyright 2002 Marie Asner
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