U.S. 50
Artist: John Fries
Label: Independent
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Duration: 7 tracks, 32:37
John Fries has honed his work through years of band life. What
remains is pure and direct from his roots in Texas blues. U.S. 50 ‘highlights’
these influences. In it, the listener hears Stevie Ray Vaughn, ZZ Top, John
Nitzinger and more. But, there is so much more than this in Fries’ offerings. Here
lies a spark and pop catching and holding the ear of the listener.
The opener, “Another Love” is much like a slow, early ZZ Top
blues tune right down to the guitar and voice. “Defeat” follows with bright and
poppy blues with an added air of warmth and freedom similar to the feeling of
some John Mayer tunes. Listen for the slide guitar solo!
“We Can Lie “ is the hidden gem both soulful and beautiful
in its arrangement. The horns and mixing reminiscent of Phil Spector’s ‘wall of
sound’ make this number stand up all day. “Tomorrow “ is a little Hendrix / a
little Vaughn with guitar lighting up this radio ready blues tune. Here, great
blues lyrics match perfectly with blues guitar scratching at the listener’s
soul. The final tune, “U.S. 50”, provides the perfect ending with an
acoustic-based ballad flavored by pedal steel, soulful keyboards, and female
backing vocals echoing the lonesome soul in all of us, depicted here by a
lonely stretch of highway – U.S. 50, a very colorful reference.
Solid blues guitar, bass and percussion combined with
slightly understated blues vocals make this a winner. I’m holding out for Fries
to be a guest at Clapton’s next Crossroads event.
Scott S Mertens
4 tocks
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