Louisiana Red- MIDNIGHT RAMBLER

Louisiana Red---"MIDNIGHT RAMBLER" review.

Production: as simple as it gets. A voice. A guitar. No effects. No overdubs.

Red's guitar playing is straight-ahead and clean--reminds me somewhat of Mississippi Fred McDowell. He doesn't do anything particularly amazing or groundbreaking, but it provides great support to Red's voice.

Red's singing: maybe not to everyone's taste. At first listening it seemed to lack a bit of nuance or subtlety, but I found it really grew on me, and suited the material beautifully. Maybe some of my complaint is due to the extremely basic production values on this CD. One thing about Red's singing is his excellent projection and diction (something a lot of bluesmen aren't noted for)--you can clearly understand every single word he sings.

The songs. This is where the rubber meets the road. LR is one of the most personal and intense singer/songwriters out there. This guy can make you squirm uncomfortably and laugh out loud---sometimes even in the same song. Listen to "Death of Elise", "Sweet Blood Call", and "Too poor to Die" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Juke boy bob's rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Give this CD two listenings and you will be hooked