Truth
Artist: Steve Riddle Band
Label: Undergroundfish Records
Length: 11 tracks/68:48
URL: http://www.steveriddleband.com

It won't take long for you to see where Riddle is coming from. Five seconds into the opener, "You Got a Love Like That," with its crunchy rhythm guitar and walking bass, you know that you are in for a swinging blues experience. Flashes of heroes Stevie Ray Vaughn, Phil Keaggy and Eric Clapton abound. Albert Margolis, though not a full time member, adds some very tasty Hammond B-3 fills that certainly make the experience complete. Bass-man Bobby Rubalcaba is solid and consistently inventive. Tommy McCaulley is never showy, but his ever-present backbeat matches with Rubalcaba to hold everything together.

Riddle never tries to hide his love for blues jamming. It even comes with this caution: "Warning: Recording contains gratuitous guitar soloing"--and for the most part, it is quite excellent.

If you're a fan of Carlos Santana and Ernie Isley, the title track is for you. The Latinesque sojourn has dashes of "Who's That Lady," the Isley Brothers' gem. Riddle gets a wonderful mellow fuzz effect that is quite biting from time to time, and the percussion and Hammond organ bring Santana and Malo to mind.

There's a "Good Morning Little School Girl" derived bass lick pushing along Riddle's atmospheric, nearly jazz-like riffing on "Last Call." "Break Me Down" shines from Riddle's opening chording. "Sanctified" has Robin Trower and Jimi all over it and catches fire during the break. "Shine" beats it out of the gate. Wah-wah cruising, a driving the tough rhythm section and a stellar guitar break make this one a favorite. The acoustic brilliance of "Gonna Stand" changes the pace nicely.

The band's cover of Warren Haynes/Allman Brothers "Soulshine" is a good idea but doesn't quite measure up. Riddle's playing is strong from the outset, but the song seems to drag and never fully develops any groove. This and the interminable closer "Coming Home" are my only questionable inclusions.

Riddle's lyrics are simple and to the point. Whether asking questions or stating a position, the lyrics direct you to the Lord.

I have a bit of problem with Riddle's vocals. They are expressive but limited. He seems close to, or missing, the note at times. Not sure who does the female back-up on "Coming Home," but Riddle should think about giving her some leads.

Overall, this is one rocking alive-in-the Spirit jam. Blues and straight out blues rock doesn't has never had much of a place in mainline Christian music. If you miss hearing that kind of sound, Steve Riddle is your man.

Bob Felberg  January 9, 2008