It is a little early to be thinking best albums of 2014, right? Wrong. Both Marla Mase and Phil Gammage are early contenders. Marla I wrote about earlier this month but Phil Gammage’s new album Adventures In Bluesland is just released.
Gammage is the A Certain Ratio proto-post-punk game changers lead guitarist who has forged a way admirable solo career through the months. He plays with everybody and plays everything though you can dumb it down to Americana if you like. Really, his voice is so Sun session it is like he dropped out of the 1950s but his guitar is more than just sturdy, it is sturdy with a funky edge.
Adventures is a great album and I plan to give it a full review soon but till then, Phil is playing Wednesday, January, 29th 9pm in New York at No Malice Palace 197 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009 (212) 254-9184. I’ve yet to see Phil live but plan to get to this one.
Right now, Gammage is at the top of his game, playing for everybody like a bounty hunter cutting off the scalps of and adding to his belt rock fans everywhere but even by his standards this should be a gig to see.
Watching songs as great as “In The Pines”, “Trying to Get To You” and “Baby Let Me Follow you Down” which will systematically blow you down and bang you up. An absolutely must see.