Review of Live On The 4th Of July

July 2004 Cross Rhythms UK www.crossrhythms.co.uk

Hot on the heels of his second studio album comes this pumpin’ live album from Jimmie Bratcher and Co, firmly in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Robben Ford, complete with horn section and a glorious Hammond organ. Being a live

Live on the 4th of July

album it inevitably draws from both his studio albums, but as they are only 18 months apart anyway, there’s nothing old about it. The band is very tight and fluid and groove along effortlessly from start to finish. Jimmie, as well as being no mean guitarist, is also an evangelist and the lyrics demonstrate this extremely well, being quite upbeat and uncompromising. Highlights are the bass solo on “Party Goin’ On” and scorching guitar solos aplenty. There is little to fault on this CD quite honestly and I suspect it will be a regular visitor to my CD player. Any fan of “modern” blues would find this a worthy addition to their collection.
(TEN SQUARES out of 10) Keith Singleton