BRETT ELLIS BAND – Electrified Live (CD)

American blues rocker Brett Ellis comes alive. Well, he sure as hell rocks it out live! He kicks off at full throttle with Keeping The Rock Alive and he doesn’t look back! Backed up by bass player Rick Nash and drummer Calvin Lakin they are kickin’ asses and taking names! Brett is an outstanding guitarist on his studio albums, but DAMN this cat is on fire live!! His rendition of Hendrix’s Freedom is nothing short of outstanding. 20 In 5 is a cool chunky rocker that actually reminds me a bit of Van Halen’s Little Dreamer in the verse, but there end the similarities. The fat chorus riff is powerful and nice and the song also showcases the talents of Rick and Calvin since they get their solo pieces as well. Brett lands on the heavy side of blues rock, so if you’re into guys like Lance Lopez, Michael Katon, Poppa Chubby and Philip Sayce, check this cat out. You won’t be disappointed!  What I really love about Brett’s guitar playing is that he knows all his blues licks, but he mixes them up with brutal technical licks, some jazzy runs and a variety of other styles making it all into a nice mix of his own, plus his tone and sound is killer. As for Brett’s vocals, they may not live up to his guitar playing. However, like with Gary Moore, Pat Travers, Michael Katon and Hendrix himself, they weren’t great singers, but they had the right attitude, which Brett sure has. Plus, he actually reminds me a bit of Ted Nugent in his early days, which isn’t bad at all (even if I don’t share the Nuge’s… views and Brett is a far better guitar player).

Janne Stark

Year: 2015

Country: USA

Label: Grooveyard Records

Video: https://youtu.be/r9kKLh7jgds

PEBBLEMAN – Call Of Fate (CD digi)

Ok, I will admit, the name Pebbleman didn’t really hit me as an especially cool or serious one (it actually made me think of the Flintstones). However, opening track Loaded shows this band is 100 % serious! Fat and crunchy Strat riffs with a funky touch and a heavy blues vibe has serious written all over it! Who delivers these riffs… well, I am serious, but there is one Richard Pryor handling the guitar and songwriting. Nope, not the comedian who did Stir Crazy and Silver Streak. Pebbleman is a quartet out of South Africa. Heavy, bluesy, riff-oriented rock with touches of Robin Trower, Mahogany Rush and Philip Sayce, the latter especially when it comes to Pryor’s outstanding and explosive guitar playing, with that good old fat Strat neck pick-up sound. His style is very slinky and fluid, yet loaded with feel and attitude. The band also does a great rendition of Philip Sayce’s funky tune Love Is A Powerful Thing. Singer Jesse Jordan may not be your regular rough edged blues singer, but a more melodic style vocalist, still with a killer blues feel and his voice fits the style perfectly. The rhythm section comprising bassist Rob Stemmett and drummer Kevin Gibson, fill every crack and crevice with fat licks and groovy hits. This was a new acquaintance for me and a very nice one indeed! By the way, apparently this is the fourth Pebbleman album! I've got some searching to do!

Janne Stark

Year: 2014

Country: South Africa

Label: Grooveyard Records

Link: www.pebbleman.co.za