While the world waits for a Black Crowes reunion (keep waiting folks), founding member Rich Robinson has been busy over the years keeping the spirit of his former band alive in a variety of musical projects. Continually working with former Crowes bandmates Marc Ford (guitar) and Sven Pipien (bass) has led to the formation of The Magpie Salute, along with Joe Magistro (drums), Matt Slocum (keyboards), and John Hogg (vocals). High Water 1 is their debut studio album, a very enjoyable collection of bluesy hard rock, pop, and roots/folk flavored material that will please any fan of the Black Crowes but more importantly any music fan who appreciates good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.
Rousing rockers such as "Mary the Gypsy" and "Send Me An Omen" contain all the elements you need to get up on your feet and have a good time; gritty guitar riffs & solos, tasty keyboards, addicting grooves, and Hogg's potent lead vocals. The title track has a folky, almost Led Zeppelin III feel to it with its intricate acoustic guitar passages, a trend that also pops up on the alluring "For the Wind". The band offers up some delicate pop on the engaging "Sister Moon", bluesy country with "Color Blind", and raucous Southern Rock complete with nasty slide guitar, energetic grooves, and Hogg's commanding vocals on the hard rocking "Take It All". Another very fun tune here is "Hand in Hand", a quirky, bluesy honky tonk track that is part The Faces and part Lynyrd Skynyrd, while the pedal steel infused country rock of "You Found Me" is a gorgeous trip back to Exile on Main St. by the Rolling Stones and well as vintage Flying Burrito Brothers. Ford & Robinson lay down some intricate acoustic guitar passages on the bluesy folk rock of "Can You See" as well as the dark but catchy closer "Open Up".
Lots of music here to dive into, as High Water 1 is not a short album but filled with so much variety it keeps you constantly engaged. Reports are these guys are a blast to see live, and it will be great to see & hear these songs in a live context. Delivered with plenty of emotion, colors, and textures, these melodic & memorable songs also feature expert musicianship, making this debut from The Magpie Salute an easy recommendation.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
- Mary The Gypsy
- High Water
- Send Me An Omen
- For The Wind
- Sister Moon
- Color Blind
- Take It All
- Walk On Water
- Hand In Hand
- You Found Me
- Can You See
- Open Up
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