Showing posts with label Mercy Brothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercy Brothers. Show all posts

Friday, April 22, 2022

The Mercy Brothers - Strange Adventure

Size: 162.9 MB
Time: 69:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Acoustic/Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Another Man Done Gone (3:30)
02. Stay Away From My Door (3:14)
03. Down That Road (3:36)
04. I Believe I´ll Make A Change (2:50)
05. The New Year Blues (3:36)
06. Broke Down Engine (4:32)
07. Working On The Line (3:28)
08. Night Train To Memphis (5:13)
09. Misery Train (4:06)
10. Mr. Johnson (5:36)
11. Long Black Train (Live Bonus Track) (3:39)
12. California Stars (Live Bonus Track) (4:45)
13. The New Year Blues (Live Bonus Track) (3:57)
14. Down That Road (Live Bonus Track) (3:51)
15. Misery Train (Live Bonus Track) (3:41)
16. Pallet On The Floor (Live Bonus Track) (6:32)
17. Tennessee Blues (Studio Bonus Track) (3:11)

Personnel:
Barrence Whitfield - vocals
Michael Dinallo - acoustic, electric, baritone guitars
Vidar Busk - electric guitar
Paul Kochanski - acoustic bass
Andy Plaisted - drums and percussion
Tim Taylor - harmonica
Tim Kelly - dobro

Live In Oslo: Barrence Whitfield - vocals
Michael Dinallo - acoustic & electric guitar
Vidar Busk - electric guitar
Bill Troiani - bass
Martin Windstad - drums

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. The Mercy Brothers are vocalist extraordinaire Barrence Whitfield and guitarist/producer/songwriter Michael Dinallo.

Strange Adventure is a rather strange mix, that at times shows some great promise and at other times leaves one shaking their head saying, "Why? It's been done so many time before, and with some real passion." That is going to be a key word, you can call it passion, feeling, conviction, or whatever fits your language schema, but there are great lapses of it on this disc. It's funny; Barrence Whitfield's reputation as a soulful singer preceded him, so there was some anticipation when the disc arrived. He can scream and holler with the best of them, however his voice doesn't carry the conviction of any of the top notch, or even the middle level soul or blues singers. It lacks sincerity when he attempts it; his voice carries more sincerity and truth when he is singing and not attempting to be a soul belter, as was Sam Cooke or even Taj Mahal. When he tries for that soulful stretch he loses the solidity and conviction of his voice. Songs such as I Believe I'll Make A Change, or, The New Year Blues, which don't require that stretching of the voice work and are very good. In fact the latter is one of the highlights of the disc with some very nicely balanced guitar playing form Michael Dinallo. On Broke Down Engine, Mr. Whitfield lets his voice slip into what might be called a rough sandpapery blues voice of the tired old singer and doesn't attempt any screams or moans and the sincerity holds up fine, it is a delicate balance and one that is difficult.

The rest of the band is quite good and solid, being led by Michael Dinallo on guitars on all of the sets. The first ten songs were a self released done in the studio, the next six were recorded live in Norway, and the last song is a studio demo. The music is a blending of country blues with the soul side of the R&B spectrum. There is promise however the highlights on this disc a too far apart. ~Bob Gottlieb

Strange Adventure MP3
Strange Adventure FLAC

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Mercy Brothers - Holy Ghost Power!

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:00
Size: 98.5 MB
Styles: Christian, Louisiana blues, Roots
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:15] 1. Holy Ghost Power!
[4:24] 2. The 309
[3:29] 3. Get Right Now With Jesus
[4:45] 4. Rise, Devil Rise
[5:36] 5. Keys To The Kingdom
[3:47] 6. The Devil's Food Tastes Like Cake
[3:27] 7. Following Jesus
[4:17] 8. 10,000 Angels
[2:18] 9. Joy Of The Word
[3:22] 10. Come Home Sinner
[4:16] 11. Kite Tails

Louisiana musicians often blend zealous religious lyrics with the most raucous, rowdy accompaniment. From Ferriday’s rocking Jerry Lee Lewis and his preacher cousin Jimmy Swaggart, to the funky gospel guitarists Elder Utah Smith of New Orleans, and Reverend Charlie Jackson, of Baton Rouge -- to name but a few -- Louisiana music has long straddled that fine line between Saturday night blow-outs and Sunday morning reflection. The latest band to joyously explore this passionate roots-music border zone is the Lafayette-based Mercy Brothers -- as heard on their exuberant debut CD Holy Ghost Power, on Sockmo Music in the US and Rootsy in Europe. Formed in 2011 by veteran musicians Kevin Sekhani, Mark Meaux and Garland Theriot, the Mercy Brothers blend the spiritual fervor of an old-time tent revival with the rambunctious feel of a rural roadhouse -- combining the best elements of celestial and honky-tonk heaven. This unique holy hubbub hybrid, and a reputation for electrifying live shows that inspire impassioned sing-alongs, has won the band a loyal -- dare we day devout -- following. In 2012 they tore it up at both the Festival Internationale de la Louisiane and Festivals Acadien et Créole in Lafayette, and at New Orleans’ coolest new club, Chickie Wah-Wah, garnering glowing press from the Times of Acadiana and the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and starting a buzz in music circles around the nation. While the uptempo energy of Mercy Brothers’ country-tinged rocking songs can virtually make the lame walk again, the band’s original lyrics look beyond earthly pleasures to consider deeper issues:

“When you feel downtrodden and you think He don't care, Get some Holy Ghost power. And your looking for an answer so very clear, Get some Holy Ghost power. When you just can't put that bottle down, Get some Holy Ghost Power!! Just pick your ass up off the ground, With some Holy Ghost power!”

Holy Ghost Power!