Recording Review

Hamilton Loomis ‘KICKIN’ IT’

Blind Pig BP-5084

by Randy Hoffman

Blues Blowtorch Society

This blues Cd is the most entertaining CD I have received for review…ever!!  Hamilton Loomis came out of the Houston, Texas area and can be found at www.hamiltonloomis.com and it is worth checking out.  In his own liner note words, “‘the blues’ as we know it is changing.  If you want to hear something a little different, I think you’ll like this CD.”  No kidding!!  I love it.  The real test for me is when I road trip and put on a CD and after a few times through I start skipping the tunes I don’t care for.  Hasn’t happen yet!!  These are ten of the best written, arranged, played and produced tracks you will find a new artist presenting today.

 

Hamilton and his very talented band have a great mixture of blues sounds.  The range from an old style acoustic blues lead in through funky soul is smooth and very well done.  It is not your old twelve bar blues.  There are plenty of cool chord, rhythm, and styles changes that not only keep your interest, but also demonstrate that this guy is a talented musician.  His guitar work is excellent without reaching that ‘in your face’ guitar wizard lead extravaganza that tends to bore me.  If you like some really smokin’ harmonica, this man can blow with the best of them.  He can make the cutting edge or subtle cries that flavor the music perfectly.

 

My favorite tune is the lead cut “Workin’ Real Hard’ (at doing nothin’ at all!).  It pokes fun at the lifestyle of musicians, while demonstrating the essence of being one.  The tune-smithing is very fine.  Hamilton wrote seven of the cuts and his keyboard player, Brian Leeper dropped in a couple.  The art of songwriting is evident, soulful and interesting throughout the CD.  The other tune I would like to note is ‘Take A Number’ (stand in line).  It ties the frustration of everyday living to the personal relationships we struggle to maintain.  There isn’t a poorly written or played cut on this CD.

 

Hamilton’s mentor is Bo Diddley, whom he met at the age of sixteen.  Bo adds “You got to put some seasonin’ in what you’re doin’, and this boy’s got the whole salt shaker!”  I have to agree!!  Go out and get this, you won’t regret it.

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