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Guitar Heroes: Guitar Heroes Review

Guitar Heroes is the self-titled album from blues group Guitar Heroes. The albums begins with the track “That’s All Right (Mama),” a track whose slackened strings and banjo-inspired flare give the opening jam a roadster attitude. The lengthy soloing in this first track allows the listener to teasingly glimpse the band’s bluesy and instrumental focus. “Susie Q” with its self-assured opening, introduces an often-reinforced riff, but when the band calls for some ‘gee-tar’ the track evolves with the aid of some brief solo work.

The album introduces another echoed point with the instrumental track “Sleep Walk” with a doo-wop feel and  a sliding guitar that will remind all Back to the Future viewers (and, perhaps, the well-versed Paul Simon listeners) of the Penguins’ classic “Earth Angel.”  The following track, “Leave My Woman Alone,” has a classic, elementarily-focused blues wih traditional lyric, owing to its composition being by the late, great Ray Charles. The accomplished guitar solo at the end of this song elevates this basic number. “You’re the One’s” slow, suspended intro rises above the crowd noise as this well-timed track opens to an eventual, squealing crescendo against a flattering, percussive backdrop. The band member shout-outs and clear purpose demonstrate the group’s enjoyment of their music and, when the band digs it, the listener does too.

“Comin’ Home Baby” is a Latin-inspired and welcome, additional instrumental while “Flip, Flop, and Fly” features a swing beat and some Chuck-Berry inspired guitar work. “Only the Young” is a slow dance instrumental with gentle guitar inflections and a notable bit of surprising organ work. “Polk Salad Annie” is a more surf-inspired instrumental, the percussive elements shining through in a remarkable way. “Bad Apple” with its lookin’-for-no-good, grinding sound is contrasted with a bright solo making this track one that is hard to pin down. “Country Boy” showcases a bit of fast, lively picking and a Western taste, ending the album with a fine, prancing line-dancing jig.

This live album is a perfect example of traditional blues guitar and features some of the best instrumental work of any album featured this year.

The Review: 7/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– That’s All Right, Mama
– Sleep Walk
– You’re the One

The Big Hit

– You’re the One

Review by McKinnie Sizemore

Buy the album: Amazon

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