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    Jimmie Bratcher
    Red
    (2005 - Ransom Music)
    Review Date: January 2009

    by Robert T. Murphy
    Jimmy Bratcher has put together an solid CD of mostly self penned music. Out of the 13 songs on the CD, Jimmie Bratcher wrote ten songs and co-wrote the remaining three songs. Stylisticly, the music is blues, funky blues, with some Texas shuffle blues tossed in for good measure and leans towards the vocal style of John Hiatt, Robert Cray or similar artists along with a bit of modern country.

    Some samples from the CD:

    'Bad Religion' - This song has a real John Hiatt vibe to the vocals, with clean guitar and a swinging beat.

    'I see Red' - This leans towards the rockin blues end of the scale with distorted guitar, and big dynamic power chords, interspaced with fast Texas blues style guitar.

    'Drive' - The CD's title track is a funky swing number, leaning more towards motown with horn fills, female backing vocal, and a soulful vocal.

    'Dance With Me' - strikes me as being closer to jesus rock in style, leaning towards adult pop music, although the vocal subject doesn't apply.

    'Restless for the Son' - Opens with a trumpet that reminds me of that old Gerry and the Pacemakers song 'Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'. This is a slow dance tune, leaning towards jazz club vibe.

    'Beautiful People' - This song reminds me of modern country guitar, which is a refugee from 70's rock & roll.

    'Three Chords' - Just what the title says, this is a three chord song, although with the horns, and really good blues guitar, it sure sounds more than that. This is a great song, basic medium/slow boogie woogie shuffle, but effective non the less.

    'Take It Back' - Another shuffle, with some good finger picked guitar, solid three chord blues, good slide guitar, which ends up with some rockin music.

    'No Pretense' - opens up with a Rolling Stones style riff (although avoiding the rough Stones style) and John Hiatt style vocals.

    'Happy' - This is a rocking funky blues instrumental number with some solid clean guitar playing.

    Bottom Line: This is a good to excellent CD which contains a variety of musical style. The production is excellent throughout as you would expect from any CD produced by Jim Gaines, and this is a solid release. If your a John Hiatt, or Robert Cray, or similar artists, then you should like this CD. If your tastes run in that direction, then this might be a CD for you. In any case this is a very good CD with some really good music with various styles and feel. I give it Three out of four stars.

    Musicians:
    Guitar and vocals - Jimmie Bratcher
    Bass - Jeremy Worden
    Drums - Doug Dimmel
    Organ - Paul draper
    Guest Musicians:
    Trumpet - Eric Stark
    Trombone - Perry Taylor
    Trumpet - Bob Harvey
    Background Vocals - Joseph & Kim Macklin, Sherri Bratcher
    Producer - Jim gaines

    www.jimmiebratcher.com

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