Black Mountain Prophet: Tales From The South

Tales From The South is one of those album titles that leaves little to the imagination. Black Mountain Prophet play Southern Rock, but not the shit kicking Blackfoot kind, instead Tales... is a more considered affair paying homage first to the blues and only then introducing any rock elements. Based round Jarrod England, who handles everything from vocals and most of the lead guitars to rhythm guitars, some slide guitar, a little harmonica and a tappity tap of percussion, and Bob Watkins, who keeps it easier by simply play guitar – rhythm and lead, the band are ably rounded out by bassist Brian Witty and drummer Chris Hardesty.

When the guys rock it up, as they do on "Where's My Woman", a loose Free meets Skynyrd via BB King rocks, rolls and swaggers into view, while the lay it down thick and hard of "Feel Good Mama" brings a slight vibe of ZZ Top. A little countrified air is breathed in deep on "Whiskey Don't Make Me Cry", a slow easy groove always underpinned by a real sense of dirt and sweat, although the backing vocals from Aris Deck add an extra little touch of class. Vocally England is a heart and soul over practice and precision man, his soulful delivery only really coming a little unstuck on the slow, acoustic strum of "Brandy" or easy sway of "Front Porch Company". However the slightly more commercial slide (in more ways than one – the slide guitar work from the singing guitarist is a joy here) of "Alone In The World" finds him slap bang in his element. The drawl and power behind his voice perfect for the pounding drums, which play off the lightest touch of guitars with ease. The out and out blues rumble of "Mercy" shows the true, uncompromising twin guitar power that both he and Watkins can bring, although the ethos here is authenticity instead of flash and it's all the better for it.

Shaping authentic blues into their own vision, Black Mountain Prophet are here to tell you the future through a hat tipping nod to the past. Blues fans everywhere should be ready to take in their Tales From The South.

Track Listing
1. FEEL GOOD MAMA

2. LAY THAT BOTTLE DOWN

3. WHISKEY DON'T MAKE ME CRY

4. MILK SKIN WOMAN

5. BAD WOMEN

6. BRANDY

7. FRONT PORCH COMPANY

8. WHERE'S MY WOMAN

9. MY BABY DON'T LOVE ME

10. ALONE IN THE WORLD

11. MERCY

Added: August 28th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Tales From The South at The Grooveyard
Hits: 3965
Language: english

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