Release: JP. Soars - LET GO OF THE REINS

..JP. Soars - LET GO OF THE REINS

Street Date: 8/23/19

PRODUCED BY TAB BENOIT FOR BENOIT'S
WHISKEY BAYOU RECORDS
LET GO OF THE REINS
J.P. SOARS recorded LET GO OF THE REINS at producer Tab Benoit’s studio in Houma, Louisiana, for release on Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou Records 8/23/19.
Versatility is on display for this record, as Soars laid down his signature vocals and played electric guitar, acoustic

 
guitar, dobro, Merlin Dulcimer, and two-string cigar box guitar while Benoit covered drums plus assorted pedal steel, background vocal and acoustic guitar tracks, Soars’ usual drummer Chris Peet played bass, and keyboard player Tillis Verdin laid down some tasty tracks on the Hamond B3.

 The seven original songs and four covers span a wide range of styles. The album kicks off with a funky rockin’ blues version of J.B. Lenoir’s “Been Down So Long,” then follows with a Stones-y rock groove cover of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ “If You Wanna Get To Heaven,” the uptempo blues of “Freddie King Thing,” and the hypnotic, slide-powered stomp of the title track. The funky blues instrumental “Crow’s Nest” gives everyone some room to stretch out, while the ultra-smooth “Lonely Fire” provides a perfect setting for J.P.’s beautiful Latin-flavored acoustic guitar. The rocking “Have Mercy On My Soul” leads into the uptempo country of “Let It Ride,” Django Reinhardt’s jazzy “Minor Blues,” and the bluesy R&B of “Time To Be Done.” The album closes with the relaxed folky feel of “Old Silver Bridge,” which brings in acoustic guitars, dobro, and dulcimer. This incredibly diverse set of songs is unified by J.P. Soars’ soulful, bluesy vocals and razor-sharp guitar work.

THE PLAYERS 

JP SOARS: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Dobro, Merlin Dulcimer, two string cigar box guitar 

CHRIS PEET: bass guitar

TAB BENOIT: drums all tracks, pedal steel guitar on track 8, acoustic guitar solo on track 11, background vocals on track 2

TILLIS VERDIN: Hammond B3 organ

TRACKS: 1. Been Down So Long 5:38 2. If You Wanna Get To Heaven 3:38 3. Freddie King Thing 3:17 4. Let Go Of The Reins 5:21 5. Crow’s Nest 4:47 6. Lonely Fire 5:11 7. Have Mercy On My Soul 4:11 8. Let It Ride 2:40 9. Minor Blues 4:11 10. Time To Be Done 5:22 11. Old Silver Bridge 3:47 Website: jpsoars.com.

Amy Brat
BratGirlmedia / Vizzable Music