Seth Rosenbloom: As the Crow Flies Review

As The Crow Flies is the title of Boston Blues musician Seth Rosenbloom’s sophomore studio album. Seth grew up in a musical family in the Boston suburb of Waltham and began playing the violin as a child. After being inspired by artists like The Beatles and Elvis he began playing guitar and has developed into an amazing guitarist and a powerful vocalist. Add to that the fact that he writes or co-writes the majority of his repertoire and you have a dynamic addition to the blues rock scene. As The Crow Flies rocks to the max and contains nine kick ass cuts that rattle the windows.

The band was tight and made up of former Duke Robillard veteran drummer Mark Teixeira and as well as former Al Kooper and North Mississippi Allstars bassist Jesse Williams to round out the rhythm section.  Rhythm guitar player Ryan Taylor was with the “Band of Killer” and Duke Robillard and Curtis Salgado veteran Bruce Bears handled piano and organ.

The opening cut is the title song originally written by Tony Joe White and recorded on his 1972 album The Train I’m On. Rosenbloom takes White’s version to the next level with his impeccable guitar work accompanied by his soulful voice singing –

“Well I heard you call my name…

And I jumped on the very fast freight train”

“Did You Try to Break My Heart” was co-written by Seth with Sonya Rae Taylor and was a slower paced number. It was nearly eight minutes long which gave it enough time to include two searing guitar solos. Song number three is titled “Set Me Free” and was also co-written by Seth and Sonya. Rosenbloom’s vocals are as versatile as his guitar skills when he adapts to each song harmonically with both instruments. Freddie King’s “Can’t Trust Your Neighbor” follows which is an unmistakable blues number. Seth’s eloquent vocals are punctuated by two separate guitar solos with the second reaching for the sky.

“I Wish You Could See Me Now” is a Ronnie Earl composition from his 1990 album Peace of Mind. The tune is a choppy groove with gravely vocals and more killer guitar. “Ain’t Nothing Wrong” is a solo Rosenbloom composition that is a straight blues rocker using a call and response approach to mixing guitar with vocals.  This leads in of course to another stellar guitar solo sandwiched in between verses that his howling vocals sings –  

“But there’s something wrong when you walk right out the door without a word.”

“Blind Eye” is another Rosenbloom song, with a gospel influence that opens with Mark Teixeira’s metronomic drum beat accompanied by Bruce Bears’ sparse piano tinkles to accompany Seth’s measured guitar peals and plaintiff singing. A piano solo filled the first break and another wailing guitar solo the second. Sonya Rae Taylor wrote “Gotta Roll” and is dominated by drums and keyboards with Rosenbloom’s frantic voice singing. There is a jazzy feel to it that includes a short guitar solo. The final song on the album is the third song on the album written by Seth alone. It is one of the jazziest version of the blues performed on the album and the influence of B. B. King is obvious.

As the Crow Flies is as perfect as it can get. I saw the influence of many of the great blues rock guitarists in the performances from Joe Bonamassa and Robin Trower to Freddie King and B. B. King. His experience as a guitarist and performer is apparent in the fact that his sound isn’t derivative but unique.

The Review 9/10

– As the Crow Flies
– Did You Try to Break My Heart
– Set Me Free
– Ain’t Nothing Wrong
– Blind Eye

The Big Hit

– Did You Try to Break My Heart