Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Review

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Fantasy Records

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real release their sixth album which continues to build the brand of strong song writing and emotionally charged vocals.  Its appeal is broad and there is little to dislike – except for the last track which should have been left off altogether.  It’s all-the-more surprising when six of the 12 songs are really absorbing with towering performances from the band whose name is their badge of integrity.

Sharing stages with Bob Dylan, BB King and of course his father, mentored by and working on the road and studio with Neil Young, has been time well spent but it’s their own hard work that is reaping the dividends.

Two expansive tracks impress the most.  Opener, Set Me Down on a Cloud, is about loss of life which many of us must face that features Lukas on guitar and has a Southern Rock feel.  The autobiographical Forget About Georgia at the other end of the album, also over seven minutes, matches and references the best songs containing the name of the Southern state.  Possibly the best country song I’ve heard, it’s the painful tale of losing a girl called Georgia, only to be reminded of her whenever he has the misfortune of singing Georgia on My Mind with his father on tour.  Emotive vocals in the first half are matched with sombre guitar in the second and should have been the last track.

Perhaps the band are having fun, or maybe they are listening to the advice of Messrs Young and Nelson Snr about keeping your audiences keen and carving out a career.  Six outstanding tracks on an album isn’t an accident.  If I’d been in the band, I’d have been thrown out for the quaint complaint of musical differences.  I enjoyed this album tremendously but feel it could have been invincible if the choice of songs had been more consistent. 

NE

EP Reviews

Superman by Peter Donegan is a five-track Country EP of bold intent that is named after the first track.  Peter’s strengths are song-writing with lyrics that are believable and memorable.  On Ode to a Friend, it’s a more crossover sound, akin to Mumford & Sons- and all the songs have a very contemporary flavour.  For his next full-length album, in this crowded genre, I would be seeking a duet with the very best Country performers in the States, whilst simultaneously seeking a more offbeat duet for the UK market for more exposure on both sides of the Atlantic.  It shouldn’t be difficult to arrange as these songs sell themselves and Peter will encounter a lot of goodwill in the music industry in fond memory of his late father, Lonnie.    

Black Stone Cherry have released Black to Blues, a six-track EP.  Built for Comfort, my favourite Hoochie Coochie Man and I want to be Loved, were written by Willie Dixon (as were Little Red Rooster and I just Want to Make Love to You) and have been performed by Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Bo Diddley, as well as by Cream, The Doors, Jeff Beck, The Stones, Led Zep’, and ‘Hendrix.  Black Stone Cherry carve out their own versions of the songs that they say run in their blood.  I also see it as merely a continuation of their evolving creativity (still strong after 17 years!) that saw them record Edwin Starr’s War and acoustic ballad The Rambler on their last album Kentucky.  Make sure there is a passenger alongside if you are listening whilst driving, as these tunes could conjure up the wrong type of blues in your rear-view mirror.

The Swift Drag from Austin, Texas are nothing like their name may suggest.  Their psychedelic music is far more satisfying and the title of their EP We Won’t Need That, perhaps implores us to let their music entertain us. Will Evans and David Jobe interlace drums, guitars and impassioned vocals into elaborate patterns combining the energy of The Doors and the creativity of The Black Keys.  It’s very “Burning Man” in its shamanic percussion, guitar technique and riveting vocals.

Self-released Days Like These by American born, Essex based Philip Marino is his third EP, ably assisted by The Felice Brothers which came about after replying to an open request to send demos in.  What sets this artist apart is his matchless deep and full-bodied voice, meaningful songs and acoustic mastery.  He’s got a strong following in the South-East for his live shows and airplay on national radio is increasing his well-deserved popularity.

Danish rockers We the Moon are the final band to make the cut for this issue. Rhea is a four-track triumph on Phillipa Records that has genre-resisting vocals and a heavy groove.  I particularly liked how the whole band builds a momentum to each song, bringing a refreshing unpredictability and a rawness to their music.

NE