I really don't know how the musicians in Europe especially those in countries
bordering the Sea of Finland, have managed to take the Genre of Blues, which
some of us can safely say, has in some cases become a little to complicated, and
offer a much leaner, cleaner, and I think more closer ideal of how the Blues was
originally meant to be played like. Such is the case when it comes to L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell
newest album, "Wrecked".
"Wrecked" is simply a brilliant representation of the old Blues,
played in a simply manner with just a Guitar, Drums, and the good old Harmonica
thrown in for good measure. The beat on this Album is infectious, the
music and vocals are crisp and clear. If your head in not bobbing and your feet
tapping from the opening track, you are simply not awake yet.
In the tradition of Bullfrog Brown, another 2 piece group from the same area,
whom I have called the “The New Voice and Sound of the
Old Blues.”, L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell also carry the torch that will
continue to light the way for the old blues for a long time to come.
If you are not familiar with L.R. Phoenix & Mo'Hell, please do yourself a
favor and give them a listen.
Favorite Tracks: All Of Them, Especially "Wrecked"
“For those of you who thought the only blues that is played at the moment is the 'blues-rock' variety, think again. From deep in the Finnish wilderness comes Leighton Phoenix, a throwback to those great Delta Bluesmen of a past age. If you enjoy the sound of a man, his guitar, tapping foot and lyrics that grab you from the inside out, then this is your man.” – Geoff Barton, Helsinki’s Blues Café, Finland
"L.R. draws deeply from the eternal well of blues tradition. Mississippi corn fields are the landscape that irrevocably pops up in one's mind while listening to this conjurer of mighty feelings." – Jukka 'Black River Bluesman' Juhola, Finland
“Great guitarist.” – Dave Raven, BFBS Radio 2
“The most exotic performer was Leighton Phoenix, a musician who hails from England and lives in Carelia - a man with a rather dark repertoire, full of energy, proving once again that it only takes one man to fill the stage.” – Martin Eessalu, Eesti Päevaleht, Estonia
“I sing about what I know; women, whiskey and loneliness. You’re alone so you drink to keep yourself company. One day you get lucky and find a woman, but then she causes you to drink. After a while she leaves and you're back drinking alone. It just goes around and around, until you’re 6 feet in the ground. Bad whisky's like a bad wife, you let them in they'll ruin your life.” –
L.R. Phoenix
