J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed – Americana Radio
The spirit of this music is charged. A retro curve of rock ‘n’ roll with a modern-day twist. It has the right voice, almost like Chubby Checker (Ernest Evans – no relation to J. Isaiah) on his more serious cuts like “Twenty Miles” & “Burn Up the Night.” Plus, the added benefit of a heavy-duty organ as a solid foundation.
The organ isn’t as aggressive as, say, blues-rock singer Lee Michaels’ Hammond B3 (“Stormy Monday” & “Rock Me, Baby”), but it has a cool thrust throughout many songs. But there are some blemishes.
Ten well-cultivated tunes recorded in Memphis & Dallas live-in-the-studio play on Americana Radio (Drops July 11/Independent/30:51). Produced by Scott McEwen in glorious analog for depth & fidelity. However, there is a slight muddiness, & I have heard analog crisp & pristine in the past. I’ll dismiss it for now since it may be what they want to capture. I found it distracting on songs that had heft & were performed with an enduring punch.
Four songs deep & each is a jewel. There’s no huge production, just primarily 3 well-heeled musicians who know how to rock. J. Isaiah Evans (guitar/vocals) is a smoking lead vocalist who has the rock intonations & phrasing lashed together tightly. The drama’s controlled (“A Thing For You”), which is well arranged for a power trio.
If this were the late ‘60s, they’d dominate with the likes of Sly & the Family Stone & The Chambers Brothers. The drums are wonderfully snappy with taste in place of flash. I’m pleased that the effects are at a minimum. It’s old school, but it’s good old school. It’s juke joint smoking, it’s Saturday night cruising with a Simonized convertible, it’s dancing with a girl who loves candy apples but would prefer to dance with you. That’s what this music provides. It makes me want to sit on the hood of a car on a breezy summer night & shout at the moon.
Booker T. of the MGs would love “The Devil Makes Three.” It’s rock n’ roll but it has soul which drifts into “Stand Up,” — strictly a trek down the path The Bar-Kays & Mitch Ryder may have walked. Cool slices. Steady beat. A driving manifestation of funk.
A hat tip to Chuck Berry could be “Ruby Ann” with its well-fueled rock beat. “Trouble Bound” almost sounds like the late Brook Benton’s rock voice (“I Want To Be With You Everywhere You Go”).
Raw, yet suave. Gutsy, yet sumptuous. Does this record have a flip side, honey?
Highlights – “Let’s Rock,” “Up To No Good,” “Americana Radio,” “Pullman Porter Blues,” “A Thing For You,” “The Devil Makes Three,” “Stand Up” & “Ruby Ann.”
Musicians – Matthew Vasquez (organ/keys), & Spud Crowley (drums).
Color image courtesy of their website. CD @ https://jisaiahevans.com/