BART BRYANT - BACKSTAGE II

BART BRYANT - BACKSTAGE II BLUES, BLUES ROCK, ROCK LABEL: HORIZON MUSIC GROUP RELEASE DATE: MARCH 29, 2024 Cutting his teeth working in venues on the east coast and in Texas, guitarist Bart Bryant has paid his dues as a blues rock man. His vision of what a great band should sound like is presented in his newest project, Backstage II, produced by Vic Steffens

The twelve-song set transports the listener into a packed club on a Saturday night to bask in the glow of a smoking hot R&B venue playing revved up covers of classics and four originals mixed in for good measure that are designed to fill a dance floor. 

Joining Bryant are a cast of characters including bassist Scott Spray of Johnny Winter and The

Rascals’ fame, drummers Bobby Torello,(Johnny Winter, Black Oak Arkansas) Alex Giosa, Tyger

MacNeal and Liviu Pop (Bruce Katz band), as well as piano man Floyd Domino (Asleep At The Wheel), guest vocalist Simone Young-Brown and horn arrangements by Emmy award-winning “one-man horn section” Bill Holloman.

Robin Trower’s 1974 power trio archetype “Day Of The Eagle” is given a horn band makeover to open the set. The brass off continues with an up-tempo version of the oft covered Little Johnny Taylor soul staple “If You Love Me (Like You Say).” Domino joins Bryant for a stripped-down version of the slow blues standard “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” giving nods to both Otis Rush and Led Zeppelin. The big band interpretation of  Stevie Ray Vaughn’s deep cut “Empty Arms” has Bryant stepping on the shoes of one of his biggest heroes for a musical fantasy camp moment. His lowdown blues meditation “Pass The Pain” reveals the depth of Bryant’s emotional range. What album couldn’t use a little Elvis? Bryant and Co. do a spot on read of his 1960 B side “Mess Of Blues.” Taking cues from his 1972 London Sessions album the crew burn through a muscular horn heavy version of Muddy Waters standard “I’m Ready.”  

Bryant’s neo-soul ballad “You Make Me Move” is a showcase for some fancy chops from him and Torello, and the rundown of “Born Under A Bad Sign,” stays true to the STAX original with just a touch more guitar firepower. Digging deeper into Buddy Guy’s new material Bryant draws out blue rocker “Whiskey, Beer & Wine” from the 2015 Grammy-winning album, Born To Play Guitar. The final two tracks are Bryant penned originals including the sensitive ballad “Out Of This Blue” and a tribute to Hitsville U.S.A., the joyous “Motown Groove.” Rick J Bowen 

WEBLINKS

• OS: www.bartbryant.com
• FB: www.facebook.com/bart.bryant.54/

FOCUS TRACKS

1. Day Of The Eagle, 5. Pass The Pain, 8. You Make Me Move, 12. Motown Groove

For more info: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, betsie@blindraccoon.com