by antiGUY.

Without the blues, rock would not exist. The blues was the keystone inspiration for early rock-n-roll with many of the songs following traditional blues progressions. As rock grew up so did the blues influence, from the early rock-n-roll hits to the British Blues of the last 60's, blues has left its indelible mark on the world of rock. To this day, you can hear the blues in popular rock and pop songs. 

Robert Johnson, one of the pioneers of Blues  influenced the greats of the next generation like Elmore James, B.B. King, Freddie King and Sonny Boy Williamson who later influenced an entire generation of aspiring musicians in Great Britain like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Mick Taylor, the list goes on. On other side of the Atlantic two of the most notable Bluesmen to draw upon those before them were the Vaughan brothers, Stevie Ray and Jimmi. It is against that backdrop that the artist we are covering here emerged.  

Modern blues-rock fans should automatically recognize the name Doyle Bramhall. Whether you are talking about Doyle Bramhall Sr. who worked with both Stevie Ray and Jimmi Vaughan. Doyle Sr.'s writing credits include several classic tracks immortalized by Stevie Ray Vaughan including "Changing it" and "The House is Rockin". 

Doyle Bramhall II began to follow in the family musical tradition from a young age. One of his first forays into the spotlight was a stint as the second guitarist of the Fabulous Thunderbirds at the tender young age of 16. He then went on to work with blues rock legends Double Trouble, Charlie Sexton and Joe Ely in a band they dubbed Arc Angels. His 1999 RCA debut "Jellycream" enjoyed critical success and earned the attention of Eric Clapton and Roger Waters.  Waters asked Doyle to join him on the road that summer and two legends from the blues world, Clapton and B.B. King recorded two of Doyle's songs for their collaborative album "Riding with the King". From there Doyle helped Clapton with his next studio album "Reptile" that features "Superman Inside" a song co-written by Doyle, his wife Susannah and Clapton. Doyle's playing is featured throughout the recording as well. This summer fans from across North America got to witness Doyle's talents first hand as he opened for Eric Clapton, showcasing the material on his latest solo effort, "Welcome". 

It is "Welcome" that just may help make Doyle's name known outside of Blues circles. One listen to this exception CD and the listener is hooked. Doyle's mix of rock and blues follows in the footsteps of the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan and takes Vaughan's innovation of the blues to the next logical level.  His soulful voice is only topped by his masterful blues riffs, which weave throughout the songs drawing on various blues influences but also offer a divergent tone and feeling all his own. Backing up Doyle on the album are his able lieutenants Smokestack; a world-class musical-group featuring drummer J.J. Jackson, bassist Chris Bruce. Doyle's wife Susannah Melvoin provided some background vocals, second guitarist Craig Ross and keyboardist Benmont Tench rounded out the group. 

Doyle is a complete blues artist; really a modern day blues Renaissance man. While you can find guitar virtuosos in blues clubs around the world, often they were weak in other areas like vocals and songwriting. Not so with Doyle. His guitar playing is some of the finest blues riffing you can find in modern music, capturing elements of some of the greats that went before him from Elmore James to Ritchie Blackmoore.  He builds on that guitar skill with a remarkable singing voice the flows over his music like sweet honey. But Doyle really shines in an area where it counts the most, song writing. Doyle songs are some of the most fluid blues-rock tracks to be put to tape in the past half of a century. While some other Blues artists seem to get stuck in a rut or repetition with most songs sounding remarkably similar to each other, the songs on "Welcome" each carry their own distinct sound and groove that take the listener on a melodious odyssey through the world of modern blues and rock.  It's no wonder Clapton and B.B. King called on this young virtuoso for his songwriting skills. Doyle is a master in all he does.  

On "Welcome" Doyle explores the various traditions of blues from the Delta to the Windy City sound to the modern Blues/Rock hybrids. The CD offers a grab bag of the Blues from the rockin' "Green Eyed Girl" and "Soul Shaker" to the slow shuffle of "Problem Child", "Last Night" and "Smokestack" to the bluesy power-ballad "So You Want it to Rain". Then you have you the country blues "Life" with vocals that capture an almost Van Morrison feel. "Send Some Love" is a heart-wrenching slow piano blues number that makes you want to break out your lighter and raise it to the ceiling. The solo on "Send Some Love" is one of the finest moments on the album already filled with great moments. "Blame" comes across as a mix of Hendrix and the bluesier moments of the Bealtes, a song that should fit right in on modern AOR radio formats. The ultimate highpoint of the album is the 8 minute and 38 second "Thin Dream", the song that starts out as slow southern rock/blues ballad but then builds up to a mid tempo rocker before exploding into one of the best exploratory musical bridges heard since the days of Peter Green or Led Zeppelin. The album closes with the hauntingly subtle "Cry". 

If you have even a passing interest in blues or bluesy rock "Welcome" is the must have album of 2001. For the hardcore blues fans, you should already own this modern masterpiece, if you don't then shame on you! Go out and get this album now, it will not disappoint. Here is to Doyle Bramhall II for his many talents and for helping bring the Blues into the 21st Century! 
 

antiGUY is the editor in doubt of antiMUSIC.com. 

Photos courtesy of Doylebramhall.com and RCA Records. All rights reserved by copyright holder.