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Michael Lee
Firkins – Blacklight Sonatas
Magnatude Records
www.magnatuderecords.net
Rating: B+
Guitarist Michael Lee Firkins’ playing style and approach can be
called many things but conventional certainly isn’t one of them.
His amalgamation of everything from blues, country and bluegrass
to jazz and rock make for an extremely well rounded listen as
the performances on his latest effort Blacklight Sonatas
demonstrate. With a top notch rhythm section in tow Firkins cuts
down everything in his path with his stunning arsenal of licks
and searing tone, essentially turning every single song on this
disc into a guitar lover’s wet dream. Check out his truly smokin’
rendition of the Ledbelly, by way of Ram Jam, cover of “Black
Betty” which also features his one and only vocal performance on
the album. He serves up a super charged, fuck drenched workout
on both “Now’s Your Time Blues” and his cover of the “Theme From
Sanford And Son”, as well as showing his devoted appreciation
for the blues on the magnificently eloquent title track. If
you’ve never had a chance to check out Michael Lee Firkins,
Blacklight Sonatas will make you a believer pretty damn
quick.
-Ryan
Sparks |
