"Reclamation"
The Vincent Hayes Project
North 61 Records
Can I say this right off the bat? The Vincent Hayes Project CD Reclamation just may be one of the most enjoyable albums I have heard all year long. What great songwriting and musicianship. There is just nothing not to like about this disc. Especially if you love guitar, because Vincent Hayes can work those strings in spades! Reclamation is a very well produced CD, recorded in Michigan using the legendary Muscle Shoals Neve counsel. Yeah, the same equipment that has been used to lay down music by folks such as Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers. But even with the best equipment, if the band you’re recording is not up to the task, then it’ll still show through. Not the case here, though. These guys are smokin’ start to finish.
Alongside Vincent Hayes superb guitar playing, the band is completed with his long-time partners David Alves on bass and Donnie Hugley on drums. These guys are a terrific rhythm section. And they’ve brought in some killer keyboard players, too, with Christian Van Antwerpen on Hammond B-3 and pianist Steve Yankee.
There are nice quick numbers including one with a little conversation between Hayes and his girlfriend (enacted by his guitar) on “Double Talk,” songs that sound as if you were listening to Robert Cray (“Insecurities” and “Middle Man”), and an intro that leads you to believe you’re about to hear a T-Bone Walker song until the piano kicks in (“I’ve Got A Right To Change My Mind”). But it’s the extended numbers like “I’ve Got A Right To Change My Mind” and “Some Kind Of Fool” that really show off the brilliance of Vincent Hayes’ smoldering guitar. And by extended I mean lengthy as both of those two tracks are right at the 10-minute mark. In fact all the numbers are time stretchers with only two under 5-minutes in length.
Every year there seems to be at least one great guitar album that comes out and just slaps me full in the face and makes me take notice. Last year, it was J.P. Soars that did it to me. This year it’s the Vincent Hayes Project. It’s the combination of hot guitar licks and well-written lyrics. I mean, just listen to the words to “Thank You Baby.” He hasn’t come around to patch up any past relationship, he just wants to get along with his life. But hey, thank you baby for giving me the blues. From my side of the turntable I just want to say thank you to the Vincent Hayes Project for giving me the blues, but in a good way. And I hope to hear more from this outrageous band again soon! A follow-up cannot come quick enough for me!
Total Time: 70:27
Hit Me High, Hit Me Low / Insecurities / I’ve Got A Right To Change My Mind / Middle Man / I Just Want To Get You High Tonight / Thank You Baby / Double Talk / Some Kind Of Fool / Halfway Out The Door / Sticky Thigh Jive / You Can Take Your Troubles
Reviewed by Greg Johnson
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The long-awaited follow-up to the Muddy Award and Portland Music Award nominated Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1 is now ready and you’ll be able to pick up a copy starting at the May membership meeting. Puddletown Blues, Vol. 2 contains sixteen tracks of material by many of your favorite Oregon blues musicians, most available nowhere else.
