Florida native Sean Chambers is part of a long lineage of young guitar wunderkinds who derives inspiration from the recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and early ZZ Top. Throw in a little Robin Trower and what you get is Strong Temptation.
The territory trampled on is a familiar one to fans of blues rock persuasions. Emphasis is on Chamber's guitar. But it is drummer Rich Russo and bassist Scott Smalley who aid Chambers in creating his vision of a hard working power trio. Equally stunning is Sean's take of Johnny Winter's "Mean Town Blues" that breaks into screeching slide guitar runs leaving listeners breathless and yearning for the Johnny Winter of old. Half the tracks are written by Sean and hold up well. "Dixie 45" with its wah wah drenched effects synthesizes Stevie Ray and Hendrix into sonic ear candy. Chambers has no problems in taking it slow as he tells his woman "You Was Wrong" for breaking his heart. "Mojo Down The Road" personifies John Lee Hooker with boogie shuffle rhythms and hot guitar breaks.
Chambers will have to work hard at his writing. It's not too bad. When you are competing against other hotshots like Kenny Wayne Shepard and Eric Gales, the battle can be a tough one. What you hear on Strong Temptation has been covered by other kids. Sounds you already know but what you would rather hear compared to the other drivel inundating an industry none of us in the 40 and up crowd can relate too.
"Strong Temptation" won't win any Handy Awards. It more or less is a comfort zone for those of us who appreciated early ZZ Top, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Testosterone fused blues-rock that is always inspiring to a next generation of players who want to buy a Fender Guitar and that trusty Marshall amp that goes along with it.
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