CD Review
Buddaheads
Howlin At The Moon
2002 Grooveyard Records #GYR010
by Robert T. Murphy
Review date: July 2004
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According to the liner notes on this CD, most of the songs were previously released on several other CD's and EP's. Even so, if you are not familiar with the Buddaheads, this is an excellent package of songs and guitar playing. I'm a sucker for heavy guitar based blues/rock so this CD has moved to the upper levels of my current CD rotation. Alan Mirikitani knows his way around the guitar and the backing band and guests are all solid players. The CD has 16 tracks, and the only song not written by the band is 'Mississippi Queen'.
Canadian Philip Sayce guests on 'Howlin At The Moon', which is a feast of guitar playing and riffing. Philip Sayce is currently working as the backing guitar player for Melissa Ethridge and has one solo release which is worth tracking down and is scheduled to release another CD sometime in 2005.
The first track opens (and ends) with the distinctive sound of vinyl record noise. 'Long Way Down' reminds me a bit of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and is a rocking blues song. 'Crawlin Moon' is a medium tempo song reminds me a bit of Smokin Joe Kubick with Benois King or Jimmy Thackery. The vocals are laid back a bit similar to King's delivery. 'Showdown' is a shuffle with a slight laid-back feel to it. 'Better Day' opens with some soulful guitar with acoustic backing and could be described as a ballad. 'Train Train' opens with some ZZ Top riffing and certainly has a feel similar to what ZZ Top would do. 'Mississippi Queen' is a fairly straight-ahead cover with smoother vocals than the original; however, I think it needs just a bit more cowbell. The Buddaheads version is generally more refined than the original. 'Company Graveyard' echo's bits of John Lee Hooker before blasting into a full-blown rocking boogie beat. This one causes your feet to start moving and anyone who doesn't feel this song is dead. 'When The Blues Catches Up With You' works with a laid back tempo with a 'Stormy Monday' feel to it. The guitar work is clean without any overdrive and the vocals lean towards 50's jazz/blues club feel. 'Dance Maria' is strongly influenced by Jimi Hendrix as the backward guitar work and vocals sound almost identical to 'Are You Experienced'. 'Alana' is another song strongly influenced by Hendrix with a similar feel to his song 'Angel'.
Bottom Line: The musicianship is excellent throughout this CD with a wide variety of sounds, styles and timing and the vocals are certainly better than average. The production is solid and balanced. Guitar lovers should like this release. If you like Chris Duarte, Smokin Joe Kubeck, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales, Philip Sayce, Hendrix or guitar based Texas style blues, then you should like this CD. Based upon this CD, I know that I would travel to see the Buddaheads if they were playing anywhere in the area. This CD is a keeper.... I give it a solid three out of four stars.
This CD is released by Grooveyard records. If you love guitar heavy rocking blues, check out their web site for other great releases.
Alan "B.B. Chung King" Mirikitani - guitars and vocals
Boyd Lafan - Bass
Joe Pafume - drums
Guests
Philip Sayce - guitars & vocals
Bobby Shneck - rhythm guitar
Kenny Arnoff - drums
Teddy Zip Zag - keyboards
Lee Spath - drums
Web sites:
www.buddaheads.com
www.grooveyardrecords.com
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Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
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