Size: 99,5 MB
Time: 43:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues
Art: Front
1. Keep On Drinking (2:45)
2. Millie's Blues (3:52)
3. Too Many Problems (3:28)
4. Nothing Left To Take (7:52)
5. Little Maggie (5:18)
6. Slow Down Baby (4:35)
7. Hard Times On A Blue Planet (3:40)
8. I Got The Blues (4:04)
9. So Glad You're Home (2:43)
10. Better Life (3:25)
11. Dead End Blues (1:18)
This hard-working, Orangeville-based band plays a polished form of blues-based pub rock that proves we all need to get out more. This is smart music played by a seasoned 5-piece who blend the working class blues and R&B of Dr. Feelgood with a tough, full sound that is distinctively their own. In fact, Bruce Ley’s gritty vocals approximate those of Lee Brilleaux to a ‘t’ while Michael Ley’s crisp’n’crunchy lead guitar and the skintight rhythm section of drummer Maureen Brown and bassist Greg Smith provide them with the rough-edged, sweaty Stones-grade muscle that puts this disc over the top.
From the full assault of “Keep On Drinking” to the acoustic, intimate finale, Trouble & Strife are on to something good. Co-vocalist Larry Kurtz shines on the slower numbers where his softer, gentler voice combines with his studied adeptness on blues harp for added penetration. A full ten of eleven songs are homegrown originals, which makes this release all the more satisfying. There’s more heart here than you’d expect from first-timers but the fact that two of these journeymen have actually played together for nine years makes the timing of this release all too perfect. This is an exceptional band who deserves to be seen in their natural setting, followed by copious amounts of ice-cold beer. /Eric Thom
Personnel: Larry Kurtz (harmonica, vocals); Bruce Ley (guitar, keyboards, vocals); Michael Ley (guitar, backing vocals); Greg Smith (bass, backing vocals); Maureen Brown (drums, backing vocals); Norma Bailey (backing vocals).
From the full assault of “Keep On Drinking” to the acoustic, intimate finale, Trouble & Strife are on to something good. Co-vocalist Larry Kurtz shines on the slower numbers where his softer, gentler voice combines with his studied adeptness on blues harp for added penetration. A full ten of eleven songs are homegrown originals, which makes this release all the more satisfying. There’s more heart here than you’d expect from first-timers but the fact that two of these journeymen have actually played together for nine years makes the timing of this release all too perfect. This is an exceptional band who deserves to be seen in their natural setting, followed by copious amounts of ice-cold beer. /Eric Thom
Personnel: Larry Kurtz (harmonica, vocals); Bruce Ley (guitar, keyboards, vocals); Michael Ley (guitar, backing vocals); Greg Smith (bass, backing vocals); Maureen Brown (drums, backing vocals); Norma Bailey (backing vocals).
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