Well known throughout the Northwest and beyond, Blues Redemption is the real deal when it comes to musicians having a deep passion for their music. Made up of four guys who have been playing the blues their entire musical lives, each musician has won numerous awards and accolades for his talents. The band’s repertoire is made up almost completely of original songs, with a few well-chosen covers that they will play from time to time. Fact is, Blues Redemption does not really even need to play covers - their own originals are that strong as evidenced on their new self-titled CD.
Speaking of awards, the band recently emerged as winners in the Washington Blues Society’s (WBS) first round of competitions for the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Finals will be held on Aug. 22 at the Snohomish Taste of Music Festival in downtown Snohomish. One band and one solo/duo act will represent WBS in Memphis at the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians from Feb. 2-5, 2011.
Blues Redemption is: Brian Feist on electric guitar and vocals, Doug Skoog on keyboards and vocals, Joe Hendershot on bass and back-up vocals and Billy Barner on drums and vocals. These are true blues masters, capable of presenting the whole package. From the instrumentation to the lyrics, each track is strong and pure. This band is way tight, and it shows.
“Before The Night Is Over” kicks off the CD with some funky blues. Feist takes lead on vocals on this track, trading off lead with Skoog and Barner on others throughout the album. Feist sings about many a man’s thoughts on Saturday night. “Hey baby please/ I never met a girl like you/ hey baby please/ just want to make all your dreams come true/ before the night is over/ and Sunday morning comes shining through.”
Guitar, piano and drums click beautifully on “The Things I Used To Do,” a slow number that will make you hold your darlin’ close on the dance floor. Skoog can tickle the ivories with the best of them. Feist, too, is amazing on the guitar. The same is true for “Hurtin’ Ways” - Feist shows off his blues voice and Skoog displays his keyboard abilities, his playing sounding effortless and inspired.
“Shake Your Moneymaker” begins with a classic blues riff on Hendershot’s bass, then the whole band joins in for a jam steeped in a swing vibe. Feist sings, “I got a girl who lives up on the hill/ says she gonna love me/ but I don’t believe she will/ she won’t shake her moneymaker.”
Truly built for live shows to fully appreciate their skills, Blues Redemption has put together a killer CD that will certainly tide you over until you get a chance to witness the band in the flesh.
