Fat Fox (label)
05 October 2009 (released)
03 October 2009
When you can make an album as good as this one in five hours I cannot really see why anyone needs two years to come up with the goods!
The Negrita crew do benefit from the fact that their playing is superbly simpatico and they have been playing most of these songs on the road for the last year or longer but simply deciding to make an accoustric record, settling down and doing the whole thing in 5 hours has to be some kind of record (no pun intended).
Hey Negrita’s music is what you might label ‘Roots’ or ‘Americana’ and their songs are well suited to being played either as acoustic or electrified numbers, these tending slightly towards the Country side of life but not losing sight of their Blues roots. The simplicity of the production, as well as some stunning playing, emphasises the songs as the stars and you are left with the distinct impression that the band are custodians of the music rather than ego-freaks or superstars.
From the opening ‘Burn The Whole Place Down’ Matt Ord’s guitar is simply delightful as he picks quietly behind Felix hard-toned vocals with Paul Sandy driving along with a huge double bass sound. Capt Bliss’ harmonica is a delight and Neil Findlay’s light touch on drums just pushes the music rather than forcing it.
‘One Mississippi’ ebbs and flows like a true walking Blues and the harrowing ‘Rope’ seems somehow evben more chilling when it’s played as an acoustic number – the whole band combining to great effect and Matt Ord playing a sharply edged guitar line.
Track after track give the impression of a band who are really happy to be playing together and happy with the music they are making happen – nothing sounds forced or strained but by the same token nothing is too relaxed either; there is still an edge when it is needed.
Some of the best numbers seem to congregate towards the end of the album:
‘Devil In My Shoes’ has the sound of Desire period Dylan and ‘Kathmandu’ is a much stronger song than the original as it uses an accordion to swell the sound but the quasi-religious ‘Lay Me Down’ and ‘Fishin’ see us out in fine style, really showing the best of the band in a subdued but passionate wind-down.
Hey Negrita have made a really fine statement here and for anyone into Roots music this is a must.
