Review of "Kuddelmuddel" in UK's Blues Matters Magazine
08/15/2015 12:40 PM Filed in: 2015
Thanks to our good friend Paul Harris in the UK for forwarding this review from the British “Blues Matters” magazine.
Schuld & Stamer
Kuddelmuddel
Blue Streak Records
REVIEW LINK
Yet more blues from what seems to be a vibrant Canadian scene. Kuddelmuddel is a German word describing an unstructured mix of components, a mish-mash, a jumble. A perfect description of the music on this album containing elements of folk, jazz, rock, world music, techno, funk and above all blues. Vintage instruments are mixed and mastered on computers with samples loops and modern production techniques.
The opening track is Robert Burnside’s Jumper On The Line, a highly infectious dance groove featuring coarse vocals, superb slide dobro and shimmering electric guitar. Even old chestnuts like Midnight Special and Rock Island Line are given the treatment and come out the other end totally invigorated. Gershwin’s It Ain’t Necessarily So gets a lovely acid jazz treatment and features smooth flowing tenor sax from Steve Hilliam.
Andreas Schuld contributes programming and all of the excellent guitar work and Hans Stamer’s rough, world-weary vocals work perfectly. The traditional Frankie And Albert swings mightily and the shuffling Voodoo Music is a real toe tapper featuring wailing harp by Butch Coulter. I’m a big Son House fan and the pair’s trancelike version of his song Grinnin’ In Your Face is a standout track for me. Memphis Minnie’s Joliet Bound gets a funky workover with bar-room piano from Graeme Coleman and distorted guitar from Schuld.
Probably the perfect song for this fearless approach is Wilie Dixon’s Spoonful and the pair do not disappoint with a throbbing and lengthy atmospheric makeover which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. For a survivor of the 60’s Brit blues scene it is exciting to hear blues music sounding vital and exciting again. Give this one a try and, like me, you’ll love it.
Dave Drury
Blues Matters Magazine
Vol.85
www.bluesmatters.com
Kuddelmuddel
Blue Streak Records
REVIEW LINK
Yet more blues from what seems to be a vibrant Canadian scene. Kuddelmuddel is a German word describing an unstructured mix of components, a mish-mash, a jumble. A perfect description of the music on this album containing elements of folk, jazz, rock, world music, techno, funk and above all blues. Vintage instruments are mixed and mastered on computers with samples loops and modern production techniques.
The opening track is Robert Burnside’s Jumper On The Line, a highly infectious dance groove featuring coarse vocals, superb slide dobro and shimmering electric guitar. Even old chestnuts like Midnight Special and Rock Island Line are given the treatment and come out the other end totally invigorated. Gershwin’s It Ain’t Necessarily So gets a lovely acid jazz treatment and features smooth flowing tenor sax from Steve Hilliam.
Andreas Schuld contributes programming and all of the excellent guitar work and Hans Stamer’s rough, world-weary vocals work perfectly. The traditional Frankie And Albert swings mightily and the shuffling Voodoo Music is a real toe tapper featuring wailing harp by Butch Coulter. I’m a big Son House fan and the pair’s trancelike version of his song Grinnin’ In Your Face is a standout track for me. Memphis Minnie’s Joliet Bound gets a funky workover with bar-room piano from Graeme Coleman and distorted guitar from Schuld.
Probably the perfect song for this fearless approach is Wilie Dixon’s Spoonful and the pair do not disappoint with a throbbing and lengthy atmospheric makeover which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. For a survivor of the 60’s Brit blues scene it is exciting to hear blues music sounding vital and exciting again. Give this one a try and, like me, you’ll love it.
Dave Drury
Blues Matters Magazine
Vol.85
www.bluesmatters.com