The Heavy North

Delta Shakedown

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Liverpool-based rock ‘n’ soulers The Heavy North ship a second serving to of 70s impressed tracks with their newest providing, Delta Shakedown. Robin Boardman takes a hear for Louder Than Battle.

The Heavy North self-describe as a garage-blues rock band, however this solely tells a part of the story. Delta Shakedown is infused with soul and funk with a bit psychedelia thrown in for good measure. Filled with riffs, horns, Hammonds, harmonicas and harmonies, this can be a veritable cornucopia for any aficionados of previous type rock delivered with a contemporary twist. However the album’s title, their tackle the blues may be very a lot the 70s rock model with a complete vary of wider influences thrown in, with solely a sniff of Mississippi discernable. The opener, title monitor Delta Shakedown, is a working example owing rather more to Jim Morrison than Robert Johnson. A pleasant ‘n’ sleazy intro paves the way in which for the primary style of Kenny Stuart’s distinctive vocals which, in flip, offers technique to Ste Penn’s piano solo – not a lot a nod to Ray Manzarek as a full-blown tribute.

Lead single The place Are You Now? serves up a dollop of recent Cream as fuzzy guitar and a pounding drum beat are augmented by pressing keys earlier than Stuart delivers a dreamy verse with greater than a passing nod to I Really feel Free. Give A Little Love picks up the depth with tribal drums to the fore, with the refrain; “You gotta give a bit like to get a bit love” hinting on the interior hippy. Spherical Once more is a no frills, shit-kicking rocker with basic guitar / harmonica solos in addition, whereas I See You, Do You See Me? is a bluesy ballad which showcases the singer’s soulful voice to nice impact and encompasses a smouldering guitar solo from Jose Ibanez.

In contrast to a few of their ‘retro’ friends, whereas The Heavy North steadfastly keep true to the values of nice musicianship and like a great solo as a lot as the following band, they know to not outstay their welcome – a nod (aware or not) to the trendy musical viewers. With most songs clocking in across the 3-4 minute mark, there’s no time for drumming pyrotechnics or elongated nurdling. They preserve it economical with sufficient authenticity to maintain the older rockers on board whereas remaining accessible to these vibrant younger issues who’re open to increasing their musical horizons.

The fellows show they know how one can play that funky music as they set a hypothetical 70s dance flooring alight with the cool beats of I Couldn’t Love You Extra, resplendent with brass part and candy soul backing vocals, whereas nonetheless managing to finish the track with an unlikely heavy guitar / trumpet combo. Don’t Want Cash is true to the spirit of the Blues and a uncommon foray into the world of politics; ‘No person’s acquired no cash, and It’s solely getting worse, whereas these pigs in cost all serve to fill their purse.’ Play It Protected is superbly chilled, sun-drenched in strings, horns and extra of these divine backing vocals. Shut your eyes and you may nearly think about Frankie Miller had walked into the room.

Rosanna is a messy break-up track however once more the total, soulful sound retains issues fairly upbeat, which is greater than may be stated for the final monitor on the album. Ceaselessly With out You lilts alongside pleasantly sufficient to a jazzy beat, however hear carefully and also you realise we’re coping with mortality and an eternity of oblivion. Stuart mournfully declares; ‘I don’t worry demise, however what I worry is a endlessly with out you’, earlier than the portentous outro brings issues to a (very remaining) shut.

Delta Shakedown is a advantageous assortment of songs, unpretentious however completely fashioned – delivered with type and maturity by mightily completed musicians and a stand-out singer who’re all on prime of their recreation. The manufacturing is immense and it’s obvious that no stone has been left unturned within the band’s willpower to get precisely the sound they’re in search of on each monitor. It may not be for everybody, however there’s one thing stirring as an ever growing variety of bands look to older artists for inspiration, including a up to date slant however completely happy to evolve quite than attempting to tear it up and begin once more – one thing The Heavy North do very nicely certainly.

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All phrases by Robin Boardman. Extra writing from Robin for Louder Than Battle may be discovered at his creator’s archive.