LABEL: ROCK-A-WHILE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2019
Roaring out of the fiery furnace of the motor city music scene is “Hellfire,” the new album from Detroit
blues guitarist and songwriter Kenny Parker. The eleven tracks feature Parker’s veteran band and his new
Parker and McCarty bring all their experience to bear on the collection of hard-driving blues rockers. You
can hear the sweat and toil from the years Parker worked at a Cadillac factory while playing blues at
night with top acts of the Detroit scene, Mr. Bo (Louis Bo Collins) and the Butler Twins. McCarty lends all
the tricks of the trade he learned as guitarist for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Buddy Miles
Express, the super group Cactus and his own band Mystery Train. Since Parker doesn't consider himself a
singer - his guitar playing taking center stage - he brought in Dan Devins, whose charismatic, melodic
and powerful singing voice and incendiary blues harp round out the front line of this muscular five piece.
The provocative ‘I’ve Got My Eye On You’ opens the set with the tight rhythm section of Mike Marshall on
bass and drummer Dave Marcaccio driving the four-on-the-floor shuffle hard and true while the guitars
trade leads and Bill Heid adds some honky tonk piano, setting the blue print for the album. Some heavy
organ bolsters the lead liner and vocal hook on the Stax-styled burning soul of ‘Baby Come Back To Me,’
a track with obvious Sam and Dave inspiration. The down and dirty bump and grind blues ‘Blind And
Paralyzed’ is a classic “don’t-do-me-wrong” song with the guitars and blues harp nailing that hoochie
coochie line. The old-time rock ‘n’ roller ‘Bye Bye Baby’ spotlights McCarty’s slide guitar skills and the
swamp rocker title track, ‘Hellfire,’ is the sorry tale of red-haired Ruby, the kind of woman, who will break
your heart with one look, and whose kiss could be the death of a good man.
Devins steps out front on his harmonica to intro the rambling blues ‘Goin’ In Circles,’ pleading his case to
“love me or leave me” and end his torment of unrequited love. The swinging jump blues ‘Dance With Me’
is a sure fired juke joint dance floor filler and radio ready good time. Devins wears his heart on his sleeve
for the tear-jerking blues ballad ‘I’m Missing You,’ channeling the souls of Sam Cooke and Solomon
Burke. The 60’s R&B party continues on the smooth grooving ‘But Then We Danced,’ and the jaunty
romp ‘Half Crazy,’ featuring fine harmonica and piano woven in between tasty guitar leads. Parker and
McCarty trade barbs with Devins on the burning 12 bar blues ‘Back Up Plan,’ each delivering a stinging
solo with a distinctive voice and personality all his own.
The final track on the album isn’t listed as a “bonus,” but it surely is an unexpected treat. Recorded live
at the Gem Theater, the band rips through a cover of Omar and the Howlers’ roots rocker ‘Hard Times In
The Land Of Plenty,’ a working man’s blues; a message that still rings true. Hellfire is thought of as one
of the most powerful elements in the universe and this fine album demonstrates the same power found
in Kenny Parker and his scorching hot band.
WEBLINKS
NB: www.kennyparkerband.com
