There are too many good musicians on today’s contemporary music scene, blues included, and only a small portion of them get recognition they deserve. Their music often gets lost in the sea of mediocre releases by the industry, they are not supported by the major companies and most of them survive on local basis by playing countless gigs in the area where they live. One of the great unknowns (at least to me) who deserve much more is definitely Cyril Lance and I hope that “Live From The Outskirts” would open some doors for him! Beside great music, this CD contains his own liner notes that reflect his musical journey through reflections of everyday life, stuff that makes you think.
Tracks on this CD were done on three consecutive dates between December 11 -13 at venues in Greensboro, Visulite Theater and Cat’s Cradle,NC.
Supported by three (1) fine organ players: Johnny Neel, Matt Jenson and Dave McCracken and powerful rhythm section of bassist Chris Carroll who also share vocal duties (with Johnny Neel) and drummer Kelly Pace, Cyril Lance takes the listener on the road of great live music and you only wish you could be there at the time of recording this stuff!
“I Want The real Thing” is Allman Brothers’ type opener with powerful slide guitar and organ interplay, while mid tempo rocker “I Went Down” features excellent guitar by Lance with husky vocals by Neel. Song structure of “Remembering Jon” evokes “Little Wing” in parts and is showcase for the master of the frets, just beautiful! “Blues Ain’t Nothing” begins with some frantic piano tickling by Neel and soon turns into New Orleans kind of thing reminding me of Dr.John, Champion Jack Dupree, even James Booker, great ensemble playing on this one and a crowd pleaser at the same time!
Wilie Dixon’s classic “Same Thing” gets personal treatment by the whole band, this almost too tired horse gets new life and sounds just great, probably the best track on the CD! You just can’t get enough of this stuff, great guitar throughout makes you wondering why Lance is not a household name, mystery of life or what? CD closes with funky little number by John Scofield, jazz great and is perfect finish to a great CD. These guys hit the best possible groove and I can imagine them backing James Brown, I envy all people who attended these recorded gigs.
Long tracks with plenty of room for everybody to strech out showing that Lance prefer more ensemble playing than being in the spotlight all the time as it often the case with most guitar players on the scene today. Lance plays with verve and dedication that is rarely exposed these days, he gives a very personal touch and finesse to his music, something that makes you eagerly expecting his next recording material, me included!
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