Xpress –
Brothers From Other Mothers (Independent)
Xpress are a four-piece blues band from Maryland, led
by vocalist-songwriter-harmonica player Howard Herrnstadt. He calls himself
Harmonica Blu, which is as good a name as any for a bluesman, and although it
emphasises his instrumental dexterity, his voice is just as good. The rest of
the band, Dave Myre (guitar), James Cookie Cooke (bass) and Randy Pittman
(drums), bring a wealth of experience and a rock solid groove to the
proceedings.
Although a blues band at their core, there are plenty
of other stimuli at play, and a quick read of an online biography reveals names
like Miles Davis, Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler. In fact, it’s the Dire Straits
man’s influence that’s most detectable on opening cut “You Can't Spend Your
Money in Hell”, a tale of drug dependency and degradation, brought to life with
some unpretentious and unfussy musicianship, with special mention for
guitarist, Myre.
“You
Only Want to Dance Alone” and “Long Tone Blues” are much closer to fulfilling the
blues brief, the latter a striking instrumental with an addictive rhythmic
kick. “Only for the Memories”
and “Trouble With a T”
expose their jazz leanings, which they instill with a noir-esque, filmic
quality. Perhaps my favourite of the bunch is their “Down In Baltimore /
Mystery Train” medley. Again Myre is on top form, and the two songs, though
quite different, seem to hang together like old friends – not unlike brothers
from another mother…
Rob F.
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