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Paladins (the)

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Paladins (the) – Power Shake

DaViD Music Group
Let ‘er Roll – Power Shake – Goin’ To The City – Hot Rod Rockin’ – Lookin’ For A Girl Like You – Slippin’ In – Lil’ Irene – Treat Me Wrong – Slow Down – It’s Too Late Baby – Tore Up – Going Down To Big Mary’s – You Make It They Take It – Make Me Feel So Good – Kiddio – Follow Your Heart – Let’s Buzz – 15 Days Under The Hood – El Matador – Bad Case Of Love – She’s Fine – Mercy.

Powershake is an excellent DVD (also available on cd) recorded in Holland, and with 22 songs and 101 minutes, it’s a good value for money too. It’s also a chance to see them live in your living room. Well, no big surprise here you’ve got the usual mix of styles that the Paladins usually play: blues, rockabilly, rock’n’roll, country, and even a hint of surf here and there. If you’re familiar with the band, you can see that they drew songs from all their albums, with all their classics (Big Mary’s, 15 days, Let’s Buzz…).
The DVD itself is very well filmed with a lot of cameras and not too many effects (the kind of camera movements that give you seasick). So, two choices for you: you’re already a fan, and this one is a must-have for you, you don’t know the Paladins, and this DVD is the best best-of you could ever dream of.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Paladins (the) – Years Since Yesterday

Alligator records – ALCD 4762 [1988]
Years Since Yesterday – Good Lovin’ – Going Down To Big Mary’s – Happy Home – She’s Fine – Your New Love – You And I – Don’t Stay Out All Night – Mean Man – Right Track

For their second long-play, produced by Mark Linett and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, the Paladins joined Alligator, the legendary blues label. Thus it’s not much a surprise to find a bluesier influence than their previous effort, whether it’s the blues shuffle of the title track, the menacing Happy Home, Titus Turner’s Down at Big Mary’s, or She’s Fine, a jump blues with organ.
Yet, there are plenty of rocking too, with Rockabilly tracks mostly sang by bassist Thomas Yearsley, like Good Lovin’, Right Track and Mean Man, an absolute Rock’n’Roll blast.
No good album would be complete without a ballad. You and I, later covered by Dave Vanian, fills this gap brilliantly.
The rhythm section is tight and steady, allowing Dave Gonzales to expand his guitar play, providing hot and blistering solos throughout.
With only ten songs, it’s an all-killer no-filler affair.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Stone River Boys – Love On The Dial

Cow Island CIM016 [2010]
Bluebonnet Blue – Can I Change My Mind – The Struggle – Think I’m Gonna Make It – Lovers Prison – 40 Acres – Love On The Dial – Still Feel The Feeling – Special – Take A Giant Step – Love’s Gonna Make It – Martha – Steel City – Boomerangs

The origin of the Stone River Boys can be traced back when Dave Gonzales teamed up with Mike Barfield (ex-Hollisters) to play some gigs in the memory of Chris Gafney, his friend, and partner in the Hacienda Brothers. It seems that both of them liked what they did together, and they decided to continue and go beyond the tribute thing.
Love On The Dial is their debut album released by the fine folks at Cow Island known for their impeccable taste.
Gonzales and Barfield have gathered a cast of some of the finest Austin musicians including Dave Biller (Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson and many more) on steel, Kevin Smith (High Noon, Dwight Yoakam, The Derailers) on bass, Scott Esbeck (Los Straitjackets), Hank Maninger (Hacienda Brothers, Johnny Dilks) and Damian Llanes (Nick Curran). The first two tracks are a blend of country soul, a style reminiscent of the Hacienda Brothers. As if the Stone River Boys would salute the memory of their friend one last time before moving onto their own thing. By the third song, Barfield’s “The Struggle,” they let their brand of country funk speaks. Imagine if James Brown had cut an album at Owen Bradley’s studio, the result wouldn’t be far from the Gonzales-Barfield partnership. There are many more country-funk gems like this on this album, mostly penned by Barfield, whose nickname is the tyrant of Texas funk! Try to get his solo albums too. His deep and rich voice also allows him to perform straight country numbers like the Bakersfield tinged “Lovers Prison.” “Steel City,” a Dave Biller’s instrumental rounds up this groovy album.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis