This CD was recorded at the Crawdaddy Bayou in Wheeling Illinois, during May 2,000 and was recorded live without any overdubs. I am very pleased to say that this album has a great feel to it and works very well, giving the listener a feeling of being present at the live recording.
The album kicks off with the thrusting harp of Kevin Purcell driving the song "Boogie 'Til Midnight" along at a cracking pace until Kevin switches to vocal, then back to the driving harp. Bill LeClair provides some nice piano playing along the way and Dave Seffen on guitar also provides a good solo before a final crescendo at the end. Kevin Purcell also wrote 5 of the 10 songs on this album and comes across as a very good front man playing some great harp throughout. The Nightburners have plenty of guests stepping up to help on guitar duties, Jim Egan and Shaun Ferguson provide some great interplay on the romping "Rock With Me" written by Kim Wilson. Memphis Slim's "Everyday" sees both guitarists again sharing the honours, Bill LeClair also shines with his keyboard skills on this delightful song. "Crawdaddy Blues" starts with a powerful solo from Kevin on harp before mellowing out into a walking pace groove giving plenty of space for the band to open up. "Moving In For The Kill" has the Reverend G (Greg Simmons) and Pete Flynn on slide guitar joining the band for this very riffy powerful number. "Shakey Ground" also is a powerhouse track for the band and seems to be one of the highlights of watching the band live. The final song "Man U Crazy" is a showcase for Kevin's excellent harp playing which explodes on this final blow-out number which sees the band tearing up the place and is a fitting end to this powerful live recording by a classy band. As a live album this works very well and if your ever near the Crawdaddy Bayou club it would be worth while calling to see if Kevin & The Nightburners are tearing up the place.
The Nightburners have a website: www.nightburners.com
and another site at: www.bluesforpeacefoundation.com
Bigwood Records: www.bigwoodrecords.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave Thomas, 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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