CD Review
Larry Horne & Small Change
"This Night"
Bluestreet Records (SC92001)
by Terry Marshall
Review date: April 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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Originally released in 1999 "This Night" is a showcase for the talented Larry Horne's abilities as not only a musician, but also as a songwriter. Only in the last few years has he ventured from only guitar playing to the role of songwriter. A native of Birmingham Alabama he now makes his home in Huntington Beach, California. His father was a musician and well-known local performer in the south during the thirties and forties. Joining his first band at fifteen his tastes gravitated toward blues influenced rock. Originally signed to Shelter Records in the late 70's the label suffered financially and went out of business before the release of any of his material. The last two decades or so has polished his playing and sharpened his focus and the result is a well-rounded blend of blues styles on "This Night." With Larry on lead, slide and vocals he is joined by: Chris (Gizmo) Anderson on second guitar, James (Duderanch) Armstrong, bass and backing vocals, Mike Pientka on drums and percussion. Easily moving from song to song in a smooth, laid back approach to the material this disc reminds me of a lazy summer afternoon cruising with the top down. The eleven tracks all flow one to the next effortless and seamlessly. There are no noisy outbursts or electronic "enhancements" that detract from the songs. The ensemble playing and interplay among the band members is what makes this an enjoyable album Styles range from shuffle, boogie, swing, uptempo and slow blues. Horne says for now he is pleased with the growing number of fans that show up for the band's performances and word is spreading throughout the southern California blues community. He adds "I don't plan to beat down any doors-it zaps your creativity." That said, this is a creative project and would make a nice addition to a fan of the mellow side of the blues spectrum.
This review is copyright © 2001 by Terry Marshall, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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