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Rose City Kings,Delta Hop |
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Rose City Kings,Delta Hop |
Music Review Reprint from the
November, 2003 BluesNotes
By Greg Johnson
By: Greg Johnson
Hey Blues fans, get a strong grasp onto something, because the Rose City Kings are here and destined to take this city by storm! Exhilarating and energetic live performances leave an audience in a frenzy and believe me, this feeling is not lost in the studio. Delta Hop, the band's debut release, is a potent conglomeration of pumped-up Blues-Rock melded firmly with tinges of down-home reflections.
Hard-driving resonator and bottleneck guitar by Dan Berkey rings absolutely true, blended with just the right amount of Joe Powers' churning harmonica and dynamic keyboards by Jeff Simonson. The band is rounded out by bassist Ron Camacho and drummer Roger Espinor. Together this group is a powerful force.
The songwriting brings everything to the crux. It is strong, original, imaginative and most of all, highly listenable. All selections on the disc were written by Berkey, who also serves as the band's front person on vocals. From the very first notes of the opening number, "Fire It Up," this recording takes you to a place that just may be smoke-filled with a sawdust floor somewhere along the banks of the Delta. The entrancement continues throughout. Pay close heed to songs such as "Coffee Blues"with its Elmore James-styled guitar lines and the church-like "Can't Fool Me (This Time)," because they prove the might of this outfit. The album as a whole is extremely satisfying.
The Rose City Kings have created one of the finest recordings out of the Northwest this year and judging by their talent and exciting live acts, they'll certainly be around for some time! Can't wait to hear what they'll do next.
© 2003 Cascade Blues Association