Jeff Healey Band; The: Get Me Some

I have to admit that way back in 1988 Jeff Healey's debut album made quite an impact on me. For a young fifteen year old music fan to discover a genuine blues guitar talent who through his blindness couldn't actually see the instrument he made sing so sweetly, was quite a mind blowing experience. I played See The Light countless times for a good couple of years and was then captivated by its follow up Hell To Pay. As happens at that age though, tastes are fickle and while I've never stopped respecting the amazing personal and musical talent that Jeff possessed in spades, I have to admit that Get Me Some is the first thing from Healey I've heard since those first two albums. Sadly Jeff Healey was taken from us in 2008 through cancer, but thankfully his legacy lives on and while it was originally released in 2000 in the rest of the world, amazingly it has taken eleven years for Get Me Some to see the light in the US.

Right from the first listen the fact that this album was passed up for a US release is astounding, as the commercially tinged blues based rock is of the highest calibre and absolutely ripe for chart success. Healey not only, as he always did, illustrates what a fantastic guitarist and charismatic vocalist he was, but also brings together other influences and styles that remind of everyone from Bruce Hornsby to Del Amitri to create an album that is catchy and hook laden throughout, whilst still holding on to the blues credibility Healey's guitar work oozed with ease. Dip into Get Me Some at any point and you'll be struck by the classy and nimble song writing that marked Healey's work, with the likes of the ultra-catchy "My Life Story" being sure fire hit material, while "Hey Hey" and "Holding On" are also great examples of how to bring blues based themes into the mainstream. Even during these slightly more commercial outbursts the guitar playing never takes a back seat to the melodies and hooks, instead the blistering licks and solos reinforce the accessible themes and ideas to perfection.

If on the other hand it is out and out blues workouts that really get you going, then look no further than the mighty "Feel Better", which broods in the same manner that Zeppelin and Cream did at their intense best. The introspective acoustic led "Macon Georgia Blue" allows Healey's deep rich vocal tone to dominate over a gentle, if no less blues infused motif to create a quite beautiful and memorable song. However it is the real torn out riff of "House Is Burning Down" that has the honour of being the most effective blues moment on this disc, with its irresistible groove and ripped up solo, this is Healey lettin' loose in fine style. The only real missed step appears in the guise of the overly sentimental closing track "Rachel's Song", which is an ode to Healey's daughter and while it is a heartfelt and honest lyric, it's all just a little too obvious to fully hit its mark.

At a time when (rightly so) Joe Bonamassa is being heralded as the first real blues guitarist to make an impact in quite some time, Get Me Some is a welcome reminder that Jeff Healey laid claim to that crown not all that long ago. It is a real pleasure to be reacquainted with Jeff Healey's music, but it also still hurts to know that we all lost such a great talent so young.

Track Listing
1. Which One
2. Hey Hey
3. Love Is The Answer
4. My Life Story
5. I Tried
6. The Damage Is Done
7. Feel Better
8. Holding On
9. I Should Have Told You
10. Macon Georgia Blue
11. House Is Burning Down
12. Runaway Heart
13. Rachel's Song

Added: April 17th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Jeff Healey Band
Hits: 2368
Language: english

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