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Blues Underground Network The Andy Poxon Band "Red Roots" (USA) |
 There is no doubt that
by looking at Andy Poxon, that he has hair on his head, but more
importantly, he also has a head on his shoulder, and it is perhaps that main
reason, that despite his already amazing musical talent, he is still keen
on learning and as of the writing of this review, is currently enrolled
in Towson University, in the Jazz Guitar/Commercial Music Degree
Program. At the age of only 17, Andy Poxon's talents are
undeniably, after all, Andy was only 16 when he wrote all the songs
on his Debut Album "Red Roots" and Produced the Session as well.
Comparisons
were inevitable, with Johnny Lang being one for sure.
The greats
out there have also taken notice, as the list of performers, such as,
"Tom Principato, Bobby Parker, Dave Chappell, Daryl Davis, Pete Ragusa
(formerly of The Nighthawks), The Nighthawks, the
Thrillbillies, Clarence "The Bluesman" Turner, Waverly Milor, and
Lisa Lim
", to name a few,
for
which he has played with, continues to grow.
Andy Poxon's resume does not stop
there, not by a long shot, with performances at the 2011
Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, the Colonial Beach Blues Festival and
Artscape 2011 in Baltimore, MD. Andy also "opened for Joe Louis Walker
and for Coco Montoya at Rams Head On Stage in
Annapolis". "In 2010, Andy received Wammie nominations for
Best New Artist of the Year, Best Debut Recording, and Best
Blues/Traditional R&B Recording". Those are just a few of the
things on Andy Poxon's star studded resume, to date.
In 2009 he formed The Andy Poxon
Band along with members Russ Wasson (Bass), & Mike O’Donnell
(Drums), and released "Red Roots" in November of 2011. Additional
performers on "Red Roots", included Carol Ann Drescher (Backup Vocals,
Track 8 "When"), Ray Tilkens (Backup Vocals, Tracks 4 & 5 "I Want You
So Bad"/"I Need My Girl", plus Keyboards), Zack Sweeney (Rhythm Guitar,
Tracks 3 & 12 "Quitters Never Lose"/"Is There Anything I Can Do"). Ray
Tilkens was also responsible for Recording, Mixing, and Mastering "Red
Roots".
"Red Roots" consists of 13 Tracks
and as mentioned earlier, Andy Poxon wrote all of them. On Andy's website
his influences were listed as "B.B. King, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Johnny "Guitar"
Watson, Charlie Christian, Hank Williams, Sean Costello, Elvis Presley,
Gene Vincent, and The Beatles", which seems like a wide variety of
styles, and sure enough that is what you get on "Red Roots". The opener
"Hottest Thing In Town" and the closer "C'mon Pretty Baby", are both
swingin' Tracks. "Hottest Thing In Town" shows us right off the bat that
not only does Andy Poxon have great Guitar skills, but he also has an
amazing voice to match, one that sounds years ahead of his age. The first
4 Tracks on "Red Roots" run the gamut of 4 different styles/genres and
includes the opener, which as I said is a bit of Swing, Track 2, "No
Love", a slow Guitar driven Blues tune, Track 3, "Quitters Never Lose", which is a Country Edged song,
and Track 4 "I Want You So Bad", a
song where he shows us his Soul.
The next Track "I Need My Girl", also follows a more
Soulful take, which not only shows off Andy's Vocals, but also his
Songwriting abilities.
Those that like a bit more faster Guitar Driven Blues
will certainly like Tracks 6 & 10, "I'll Sing The Blues" &
"Run Of Bad Luck".
One of my favorite Tracks on "Red Roots" was Track 8
"When", which was a pure Americana/Country feeling song. I believe it is
his best all round song on the album.
"Red Roots" showed me an amazing talent with such an
amazing future still ahead of him and unlike a few of the previous young
hopefuls, Andy Poxon has just that little extra that will certainly take
him farther and have him remembered for more than a hit or
2.
In my Blues Underground Network's Year End Review
2011, I was so impressed with Andy Poxon, that I chose him for the
category Future
Of The Blues.
For 2011, "Red Roots" was one of the best multi-genre
albums I had the honor of listening to, and I have no problem Highly
Recommending it to all.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground
Network)
Listen To Samples Here... Additional Artist Info... http://www.andypoxon.com/
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