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The EvO:R CD Review Team

Over the past couple years I have had a number of blues submissions for review. The last one was from Ron Campbell in October CD reviews. November’s blues review is from Jack Edery & UltraSuede.

Jack Edery (for some reason I want to put an L in his last name) heads up this group of blues players that can't seem to fall into any specific blues sub-genre. I hear shades of Memphis blues, Texas blues and some New Orleans blues. The band claims to play a "gumbo of styles with blues as the roux". Well, who am I to argue that case. Since I can't hold them to one blues sub-genre I have to agree with their assessment.

The CD never fully captures my attention as a critical listener. After a number of listens I never grew attached to the CD. That's not so bad because the music had a better feel when it was in the background. As a casual listener I could see myself with a plate full of catfish and a cold beer sitting outside in a folding chair listening to this band playing live. They can play slow blues so I can eat my food as well as kickin' it up a notch with some down home funkiness to get me working off those extra calories from that Cajun catfish and hush puppies.

Jack is a well versed guitar player that stays within his comfort zone as he plays and sings most of the songs on this release. Susan Pierce plays keyboards and is allowed to shows off hear soulful voice once in a while. Filling out the bands roster is Jason McCollum who hold down the bass and Robert Smith on drums. Jimbo Mathis appears as a special guest guitarist along with guest appearances from Justin Showah and Gin Gin Abraham on backing vocals, Eric Carlson on keyboards and none other than Ken Turner on scrub boards and strings.

Personally, I think Susan Pierce is the standout player in this band. She plays the blues on keyboards like a female Dr. John. Her voice is extremely soulful and if she was the keyboard player on 'Knucklebuster' I rest my case. That song stole the show for me.

Jack's voice never really hit home with me but he does have a true bluesman sound. Surprisingly, a number of cuts I thought that I heard a slight hint of Jimmy Hendricks in his vocal phrasing. Jimmy had such an awesome phrasing and Jack captures that expression from time to time. Jack sings his heart out on "Mr. Ervin" a song dedicated to the late Beaumont blues man, Ervin Charles. Jacks heartfelt sound reverberates throughout this song as he sings the perfect blues ballad. This was one of the better songs on the CD and one the deserves more then a casual listen.

Overall, the CD was a good listen. The band sounded like they all had a good time recording and playing together. That fun was definitely projected in this recording. The studio mixing was well done with all the instruments getting ample space in the recordings sound stage. Vocals are clear and well recorded while the drums had a good pop to them not muffled like so many over compressed releases currently.

Samples from the CD:
Song samples are linked to the bands page on Dig Station.com

/Blues Outside My Window /Fried Chicken & Whiskey /Mr Earvin/
/Throw A Boogie Woogie /Blind Woman With A Gun /Ballad Of Yvonne & Angel /Cajun Queenie /
/Good At Being Bad /Turn Me Loose In Your Kitchen /Memphis /Knucklebuster /


Conclusion:

If you want some fun music to play while you’re outside grilling and slamming a few cool adult beverages I would recommend that Jack Edery & UltraSuede should be in your CD player. The CD is available from such outlets as CDBaby.com and digstation.com The CD is only 15 bucks so you simply can't go wrong.

Charlie Harrelson...EvO:R Reviewer.

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