Blues in Britain

Posted by admin on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 11:11 pm
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Cross Rythms Review of “Live of the 4th of July”

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

Posted by admin on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 11:15 pm
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Cross Rythms Review of “Something Better”

Review of Something Better

September 2003 Cross Rhythms UK www.crossrhythms.co.uk

‘Something Better’ is the second album from US blues man Jimmie Bratcher, featuring his current band and a host of notable players including drummer Doug Dimmel, formerly with Barbara Mandrel, and guest guitarist Larry Howard,

Something Better Cover

whose handle of hot blues gospel albums are much treasured by connoisseurs. Jimmie describes it as “a bit more aggressive” than his 2001 debut album, ‘Honey In The Rock’.
In the words of Muddy Waters, “If you want to know about the blues, ya got’s to go back to church.” Jimmie brings 25 years experience of playing the blues in the mould of Albert King, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, not to mention the Texas blues of Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He also has the perfect voice for it, constantly reminding me of Free’s Paul Rodgers. My favorite, the title track, runs to five minutes 40 with enough guitar solos to satisfy any blues fan, with a further two minute acoustic reprise to close the album.
As his website says, Jimmie’s ministry is “preaching the Gospel – playing the blues”, and he does a great job. He succeeds in varying the tone and tempo – gets a little funky, or adds a bit of gospel – but never strays too far from the blues. “You Are My Peace” borrows a few riffs unashamedly from Hendrix’s “Little Wing”. “Your Grace Is Enough” switches to some mellow acoustic guitar, but then the electric blues storms back with “Scarred King”. A great album. If you want to hear the blues redeemed for the Lord, get this CD!
(NINE SQUARES out of 10) Nigel Harris

Posted by admin on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 11:45 pm
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Grits Review of “Honey in the Rock”

Review of “Honey in the Rock” by Jimmie Bratcher October 2001

In my short time of reviewing music for Gritz I have been ask to review different bands from all over the world but in no release have I found a more universal message then in this fantastic, heavy hitting blues release that just happens to also be all Christian music.
I thought when I heard what it was that there was no way it could possibly be true blues music and still have a Christian message- boy was I ever wrong!
“Honey in the Rock” by Jimmie Bratcher is a amazing collections of songs that take you to all realms of the blues world and you can hear the influences of all the great players from the standard blues song “Doctor, Doctor” to the swing sound on “Do you Know a Friend.” The message of Christ, his love and the safety that he affords us in his arms rings through on the sweet sounding “Everlasting Arms.” I have to admit that after listening to this release it never left my CD player for three days and I found myself switching favorites as each one spoke to me on different days in different

Honey in the Rock

ways and that is what makes this such a special CD its what I like to call “music with a message.” This CD features former Grinderswitch guitarist Larry Howard on “Keep On,” “Can’t Get Over It” and The title track “Honey in the Rock.” Howard, these days a contemporary Christian singer himself, produced the album.
After the second day of listening I found myself sing the words to “Honey in the Rock” in some of the most unusual places like the shower or while doing my day job. I found that it was God speaking to me through something I love more then anything, and that’s great blues style music. The words to “Honey in the Rock” start off saying “I don’t know what life has dealt you. I don’t know your pain and trials. All I know is that He promised that all for you he will provide. I don’t know where it’s coming from I don’t know what the future holds but I know the Master of hard places has got it all in his control” -and that speaks volumes in this trying time we are living in.
When you think of Blues most people think of sad love songs or songs about life’s hard times but the song ” Can’t Get over it” proves that blues is a feeling that comings through in both sad and happy songs, and when singing about God’s grace and his love for us the happy has to out weight the sad.
Jimmie is backed by a stellar band made up of Charlie Hayward (Charlie Daniels Band) on bass guitar; Jack Gavin on drums; (also CDB) , Brad Jerkins on keyboard; Rob Sumowski on percussion and Larry Howard on guitar on the above mention tracks.
For ordering info visit Jimmie’s web site and be sure to tell him the folks at Gritz sent you.
-Scott Greene