Hofer, Florian: Reaching

Growing up in the Countryside of Germany is not where you would equate the Soulful Blues to live, but that is where the incredibly talented Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist, Florian Hofer, was infected with it. At the tender age of 25 years old, Hofer oozes with talent that screams to be heard. I have long championed the unreal talent of Mr. Richie Kotzen and Ladies and Gents, Florian Hofer is cut from that same mold.

Hofer's voice is the 1st thing that will catch you! That whiskey soaked timbre of raspy goodness that just pours out from the speakers. The soul that he possesses in his voice is just so amazing. Yes, the first voice that I thought of was that of Richie Kotzen. Kotzen is at the top of the field with his passionate fueled vocal stylings and Florian Hofer is on that path. Hofer's debut solo record, Reaching is so 70's in feel, sound and songwriting that it is hard to believe that is a contemporarily recorded record. From the breathy vocals to the wah-wah induced twangy guitar to the always soulful songwriting, this kid has got "it"! Think Lenny Kravitz meets Richie Kotzen meets Curtis Mayfield and you've got yourself a 12 track record that will be hard for you to take out of your CD player.

Songs on Reaching sound quite refined or seasoned, if you will, and have a certain soothing character to them. Tracks like the simplistic, "Leave Me" which has an old timey, backyard Delta Blues vibe to it or the up-tempo blast of "Let it Out", with its Kotzen-like guitar pyrotechnics', to the funked up muscle of, "Telling Lies", Hofer brings it on each and every song on Reaching, but it is the song, "Illusions" where all of the combined goodness comes brimming to the top with such a smoke filled room, utter coolness. Those glorious and passion filled vocals reside on each and every song, while he coaxes every note out of his Fender Stratocaster, every bit as much as he does with those awe-inspiring vocals.

Now understand, Florian Hofer does remind me an awful lot of the great Richie Kotzen and Kotzen's amazing solo music, but by NO MEANS is Hofer a carbon copy of Kotzen!! If you dig Kotzen's work, then you will love Hofer's Reaching disc. Hofer is simply forging his own path down a road that Kotzen started nearly 20 years ago. Bluesy, funky and with a smidgen of Pop sensibilities, this record is a killer and it sounds crisp and clean. My question is how does a 25 year old German sound like he's from back Bayou of Louisiana and deliver it all the way that he does? This is one IMMENSELY talented guy, so do yourself a favor and check out his Reaching album, it is profound!

Track Listing

1. Walk Into The Light
2. Reaching (East Coast)
3. Why
4. Leave Me
5. Let It Out
6. Telling Lies
7. Can You Feel Me
8. Illusions
9. Carrying
10. Reaching (West Coast)
11. On My Knees
12. Reigning Me

Added: April 15th 2014
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 1969
Language: english

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