Jeff Fetterman: Southern Son Review
Jeff Fetterman’s album Southern Son is a powerful and soulful blues-rock celebration. After his previous releases, 9 Miles to Nowhere (2017) and Bottle Full of Blues (2015), Jeff’s new album delivers 12 songs that cover almost all the blues’ trends. With an exquisite balance, the brass, keys, and the traditional blues’ kitchen make the bed for the bluesy guitar lines in songs like “I Don’t Want To” and “49/61.”
“Memphis Sky” is a ballad where acoustic guitar and the Hammond organ take an important role as an accompaniment for Jeff’s slide guitar lines. In “Goin’ Down To Nashville” and “Ain’t Got You,” the bass and solos are mainly filled by rock guitar riffs. “Feels Like Rain” borrows the name of Buddy Guy’s hit, and it’s the most pop song on the album. The track counts with tremolo & crunchy guitars, backing vocals, and a memorable guitar solo.
Another highlight track on the album is “Blues for Charlie,” a clean blues with excellent chords progression, octave melodies, and well-explored harmonics. There’s also one cover song, “All Along the Watchtower,” a Bob Dylan classic that received a new approach by Jeff.
As bonus tracks, the album includes “Southside Blues,” an instrumental blues standard, and “Voodoo funk.” This one explores slapping bass funk lines and interchanging among the guitar and keys. This is the kind of song that could be played as a band presentation on gigs.
Southern Son was entirely produced, mixed, and mastered by Kid Andersen, who brought a refined tone selection, highlighting the mood in each case and giving worth to Jeff’s voice. Listening to this album you’ll have no doubt that blues is alive and well.
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– I Don’t Want To
– Memphis Sky
– Blues for Charlie
The Big Hit
– Blues for Charlie
I’m new to the artist, but I’m loving this album. Great tone, and a lot of diversity in arrangement and sound. Excellent!