REAL BLUES MAGAZINE (Issue #30)
A. Grigg
And, I see/hear Brian Capps as an antidote of Truth/REAL to what's been taking over in Nashville. We generally
don't delve into genres outside of the norm unless there is a strong link and Brian Capps' "Walk Through Walls"
is outstanding enough to warrant inclusion in REAL BLUES just as Willie Nelson or Hank Williams would be
covered for their Blues-of-another-color.
Capps can sing like-the-dickens (very distinct voice-scores large there!) and he writes killer tunes. He also plays
upright bass (Whitney handles electric bass parts), while D. Clinton Thompson is the amazing twang-master on all
these cuts. Thompson is so good (and tasteful) it's scary and pickers of all kinds will just love this album. "The
Bottom" kicks off the CD with chuggin' guitar and a great groove. Hit song potential if Nashville goes on Pure
Talent, and it's also Shag Hit potential, as they love funky Country grinders like this. With its Simplicity perfection
guitar solo from Thompson, one hopes that Hightones will push this one. And then we get a stormin', and
Yahooin' "Next Time" that is also killer-diller Hit Potential. Wonderful guitar in truckloads as D. Clinton Thompson
rocks out. Merle Travis' "The Devil To Pay" gets a really fine reworking as Brian takes us into C&W Purity. "True
Liar" has an almost Cajun feel to it and again his song-writing shines. The title tune "Walk Through Walls" is one
of those "cut-above" songs that packs a powerful punch and lingers in your mind. Very memorable and again the
band work is stellar (Les Gallier, Bobby Lloyd Hicks and Ron Gremp share drums throughout but it's Gallier here).
"I Wouldn't Say That's Living" is another gem (damn this guy can write: "my heart's drier than desert sand").
"Dark As A Dungeon", another Travis classic, gets the ultimate rendition as Capps lowers his voice in this Miner's
Blues and Thompson and Hicks prove their worth as Ace players. Really fine spiritual message in "When We
Learn" a tune about relationships that are based on other things besides Love. Rodney Crowell's "Standing On A
Rock" is delivered with Gospel fervor and with a rockabilly pulse that cries out for a major C&W video exposure.
Rockabilly Gospel! Can't go wrong with that! "God Knows Why" is a Masterpiece. It's about loss, falling down,
redemption and transformation delivered on a very Bluesy, old-time Gospel Foundation. This is an incredible
song and equally incredible production and musical support make it a song that you'll play over and over again,
not wanting it to end and the 3 minutes 25 seconds pass too quickly. I've never come across an album like this
before. It's Country (Pure Country), it's Rockabilly, it's retro-R' n R and it's also Gospel and there are at least 4
tracks that one could see at the Top of the Country Charts. I'm not too hip when it comes to White Gospel
markets but "God Knows Why" should be on the Radio SOMEWHERE! So, for all of our readers, who appreciate
Excellent American Roots Music, this disc is a "must". You can shit-kick with it on Saturday night and then
"take-it-to-church" on Sunday morning. Brian Capps should be a Big-Time Country Star. 6 Bottles for this proof
that Real Music still lives. Stick a feather in Lou Whitney"s hat.
A. Grigg
And, I see/hear Brian Capps as an antidote of Truth/REAL to what's been taking over in Nashville. We generally
don't delve into genres outside of the norm unless there is a strong link and Brian Capps' "Walk Through Walls"
is outstanding enough to warrant inclusion in REAL BLUES just as Willie Nelson or Hank Williams would be
covered for their Blues-of-another-color.
Capps can sing like-the-dickens (very distinct voice-scores large there!) and he writes killer tunes. He also plays
upright bass (Whitney handles electric bass parts), while D. Clinton Thompson is the amazing twang-master on all
these cuts. Thompson is so good (and tasteful) it's scary and pickers of all kinds will just love this album. "The
Bottom" kicks off the CD with chuggin' guitar and a great groove. Hit song potential if Nashville goes on Pure
Talent, and it's also Shag Hit potential, as they love funky Country grinders like this. With its Simplicity perfection
guitar solo from Thompson, one hopes that Hightones will push this one. And then we get a stormin', and
Yahooin' "Next Time" that is also killer-diller Hit Potential. Wonderful guitar in truckloads as D. Clinton Thompson
rocks out. Merle Travis' "The Devil To Pay" gets a really fine reworking as Brian takes us into C&W Purity. "True
Liar" has an almost Cajun feel to it and again his song-writing shines. The title tune "Walk Through Walls" is one
of those "cut-above" songs that packs a powerful punch and lingers in your mind. Very memorable and again the
band work is stellar (Les Gallier, Bobby Lloyd Hicks and Ron Gremp share drums throughout but it's Gallier here).
"I Wouldn't Say That's Living" is another gem (damn this guy can write: "my heart's drier than desert sand").
"Dark As A Dungeon", another Travis classic, gets the ultimate rendition as Capps lowers his voice in this Miner's
Blues and Thompson and Hicks prove their worth as Ace players. Really fine spiritual message in "When We
Learn" a tune about relationships that are based on other things besides Love. Rodney Crowell's "Standing On A
Rock" is delivered with Gospel fervor and with a rockabilly pulse that cries out for a major C&W video exposure.
Rockabilly Gospel! Can't go wrong with that! "God Knows Why" is a Masterpiece. It's about loss, falling down,
redemption and transformation delivered on a very Bluesy, old-time Gospel Foundation. This is an incredible
song and equally incredible production and musical support make it a song that you'll play over and over again,
not wanting it to end and the 3 minutes 25 seconds pass too quickly. I've never come across an album like this
before. It's Country (Pure Country), it's Rockabilly, it's retro-R' n R and it's also Gospel and there are at least 4
tracks that one could see at the Top of the Country Charts. I'm not too hip when it comes to White Gospel
markets but "God Knows Why" should be on the Radio SOMEWHERE! So, for all of our readers, who appreciate
Excellent American Roots Music, this disc is a "must". You can shit-kick with it on Saturday night and then
"take-it-to-church" on Sunday morning. Brian Capps should be a Big-Time Country Star. 6 Bottles for this proof
that Real Music still lives. Stick a feather in Lou Whitney"s hat.
| © www.BrianCapps.net 2010 |