Zach Prather
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Freak - Zach Prather Album Review
Album Review
You know, some people really don't understand the blues and what those people don't understand is that the blues don't have to give you the blues (sorry that was a bit wordy) - the first time I heard Red House I was amazed and elated and these years later, it still has the same effect on me.
Like some of the old jazzers and blues players before him, guitarist and vocalist Zach Prather is a Chicago-born musician who has made continental Europe his home, and he knows what I know about the blues - it don't have to give you the blues. His Zug (Switzerland) based band Slight Return (Urs Baumeler on bass, Eric Kunz on drums, Chris Heule on Hammond organ and Michel Carras on keyboards) is reverentially named after the colossal track Voodoo Chile from 1968's Electric Ladyland album, and the spirit, if not the tangible influence of, Jimi Hendrix is at large here, not least in the skilful rhythm guitar playing.
Prather nails his influences to his mast and whilst his work doesn't break any new ground, it is played with exhilaration, freshness and great skill. Steam Roller cooks, as they say, with gas, a propulsive, motivating mover and on 'Mercy', the band are terrific, locked as one into a Hammond-led funky blues riff that doesn't let up - my favourite track.
The slower stuff complements the rockers - 'It Ain't You', a personal break-up ballad, is beautifully achieved with a deft lightness of touch, a delight - I was wrong before, this is my favourite, and I'll also be repeat playing 'Thru It All' this summer. Title track 'Freak' is an exuberant remake of Rufus Thomas' Walkin' The Dog, crossed with Robert Parker's Barefootin', and 'Cadillac 69' is a Chuck Berry inspired on-the-road boogie-blues where Albert Lee would be pleased with the scorching guitar picking.
Tempo and stylistic changes keep the attention throughout, evidenced by Zach's exemplary take on the great Otis Rush's 'All Your Lovin', softening the vocal edge of the Bluesbreakers / Clapton version with a simpatico Santana woman-tone treatment, whist the treatment of Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine (normally I would say "don't touch a classic" - what ain't broke shouldn't be fixed) is rightly respectful to the original but strips the song back and does new things to it. There's room for the jazzy cri-de-coeur 'In Love With You', an absolute stonking, bruising rendition of Lonnie Brooks in-your-face twelve-bar 'Wound Up Tight' and, unbelievably, an irresistible horn-driven northern soul floor-filler, 'Provider', that would make a great single - OK, Provider is actually my favourite track - or is it...?
This guy should be massive and I hope he makes it.
