CD Review
Johnny Max Band
Ride & Roll
by Sarah French
Review date: May 2005
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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What do you get when you mix R N' B, Blues and Rock?? You get the new CD from
the Johnny Max Band - Ride & Roll. Featuring the unique vocals of Johnny Max,
each song has a life of its own. There is nothing monotonous or repetitive
here. Just good, down home, soulful music.
A popular and hard working band from the Greater Toronto Area, Johnny Max and
co. bring the listener back to a time when music was simple, familiar and
fun. Not to say that there is anything simple about the talents of these
lads, each musician brings experience, originality, and life to each song.
The title track 'Ride & Roll' has a wonderful and modern rockabilly sound to
it. With blistering guitar courtesy of Kevin Higgins, killer drumming from
Duncan McBain and of course, formidable vocals from Max, this radio friendly
track is a good indicator that this CD contains some very powerful stuff.
'Angel of Mercy' has a familiar theme - bad luck, money and family troubles
and a Blues man seeking relief. Well done lyrically, this track has an
amazing organ base, courtesy of Martin Aucoin, Blues guitar lines, and smooth
bass lines from Uli Bohnet. 'Whatcha Gonna Do' is a superb throwback to old
Rhythm & Blues. The stand out track on "Ride & Roll" is the arrangement on a
traditional spiritual called 'Walking In Jerusalem'. Stunning slide guitar,
foot stomping and hand clapping mesh perfectly with Johnny's soulful vocals.
A positive addition to the more modern sounds on this disc.
Hard to categorize, there is close to an hour of fun packed into this CD. A
wonderful collection of songs and extremely talented personnel will make
"Ride & Roll" a popular choice for rotation nationwide.
www.johnnymaxband.com
Buy this CD NOW:
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