Feral Foster – New World Blues
This is NY’s folk/blues virtuoso Feral Foster’s first album in 12 years. Some may not be familiar, but he was named Village Voice’s Best Folk Artist & has had a place in keeping the folk revival, roots & blues traditions active. The LP was recorded live at the Brooklyn Folk Festival (2013-2023) & Brooklyn Rod & Gun Club (2014).
There are 10 challenging tunes to delight in New World Blues (Dropped Oct 23/Jalopy Records/42:49) produced by Eli Smith. Along with Foster’s unique voice many songs are played expressively & while some have typical folk-oriented themes nothing’s too controversial. The music is well-played & has attractive elements.
This isn’t mainstream folk it has the growly nurtured tone of the late Dave Van Ronk, Howlin’ Wolf & songs from Captain Beefheart’s lone mainstream showcase “Bluejeans & Moonbeams.” The opening track is the natural disasters tune “New World Blues” — an energetic piece that’s more garage rock than folk sung with a flowing chaotic Captain Beefheart thrust, but Feral keeps it interesting with the catchy guitar riff & the Velvet Underground type percussion. The Howlin’ Wolf-like “44 Blues” as well, is quite engaging. Maybe it’s me, but that’s what I hear. I find it all invigorating. This ain’t Burl Ives, Pete Seeger or Peter, Paul & Mary.
The old 1927 tune “Tell Old Bill” is closer to folk, but Feral adds some kind of secret ingredient edge. Doesn’t have the slightest resemblance to a song that appeared in the ‘20s. Vocally, Feral is cruising the curbline of a Midwest rocker Ragnar Kvaran (“It’s All Different Now” – French Vanilla LP) with his growly & effective vocal that manages to captivate a listener. It has not muscle, but aggression.
Tunes primarily solo Foster & far closer to the folk purist tradition was folk music popular in the early ‘60s but may not captivate an audience today accustomed to the ballyhoo of studio trickery. But Feral probably knows this because he stokes up the fire with “Be Mine” & saturates his showcase with jangly distorted Velvet Underground-type guitars in a garage rock romp. Pretty damn good.
The fact that Foster attempts with verve to present a folk/blues set with original soundscapes (good slide guitar on “Suffer Little Children”) is commendable. Even the accentuated vocal stirrings of “Parade of Roses” with its faux yodeling has its Dave Van Ronk quotient. When the folk music falls between the Velvet Underground sidewalk & the Ramblin’ Jack Elliott curb what’s going to be in the road? Feral Foster.
Highlights – “New World Blues,” “Tell Old Bill,” “Be Mine,” “Parade of Roses,” “44 Blues” & “Suffer Little Children.”
Musicians – Feral (guitar/slide guitar/harmonica), Aaron Frazer (drums), Ernie Vega (guitar), Wyndham Baird (organ/piano) & Jay Sanford (bass).
CD image courtesy of Horatio Baltz. CD @ Bandcamp & https://nicklosseatonmedia.com/village-voice-best-folk-artist-feral-foster-back-with-raw-powerful-new-world-blues-album-on-oct-23/