LynnAnn Hyde and Stu Kinzel make up this duo who present us with this new studio album, after putting out 3 live albums. The surprising thing about this duo is that LynnAnn is the harp player and she is a magnificent player. Stu is also a very good guitarist.
They have won the Muddy Award for "Best Traditional Act" in 2001, and well deserved winners I feel.
The album gets off to a flying start with a great version of Kokomo Arnold's "Busy Bootin'", featuring some blistering slide guitar from Stu as he gives his all, his gritty vocal works well also. I liked "Mess With My Bread" it has a "Green Onions" riff driving it along, whilst LynnAnn harp playing is a joy and Stu guitar is particularly outstanding. Stu gets on his Dobro for "Muddy Tribute" and it's down home blues par excellent, it's great. LynnAnn wrote the swinging "(Gimme) Somethin' Fried" and her vocal is good but when she does her harp solo it melts your heart.
The traditional "Lonesome Lala" is a kind of Zydeco number with LynnAnn playing the Concertina and Stu playing a good slide guitar solo as they sing the song together. "Northern Town" written by LynnAnn is a haunting, laid back gem which hooks you in and you never want the song to end, my favourite on the album. I like "Live High
(Spaghetti Western)" a good idea for a song, a western blues song. "Got My Eye On You" sees LynnAnn's harp playing reminiscent of Sonny Boy Williamson's, Stu's guitar playing on this track is a bit heavier and slightly rocky, great playing though, as LynnAnn goes into overdrive with her talented strong harp wailing along superbly. The album ends with "Too Many Drivers" and it is a tremendous end with Stu's vocal set against LynnAnn's huge sounding harp playing, Wow! it's stunning.
I can't stop playing this CD, it is absolutely brilliant, the songs are good and strong. LynnAnn is a master of the harp and she is endorsed by Hohner Harmonica's and that comes as no surprise after you've heard her play. Stu is a wonderful skilled guitar player who plays some classic stuff on the album. Why on earth this CD has not picked up by a big record company is something that I can't figure out.
There are so many so-so albums on the market place, whilst this album of Kinzel & Hyde is magnificent and deserves to be heard by everybody, BUY this CD you will love it, it is GREAT.
Kinzel & Hyde have a website www.kinzelandhyde.com
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