A Long Awaited Peek Into the Future

A tremendous amount of growth and pain have been packaged into the years for Doyle Bramhall II, son of the legendary, but sadly now deceased Doyle Bramhall, the acclaimed drummer of The Fabulous Thunderbird and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  A guitar player, singer, and songwriter and a Producer with Eric Clapton, and collaborator with Dr. John, Roger Waters and Sheryl Crow among numerous others.  The list of who he has worked with as guitarist, songwriter, producer go on to read like a who’s who of music royalty of the past 20 years.  All this to go with a personal and spiritual awakening that led him on a journey to India and Northern Africa to discover for himself the roots of this ‘new’ music, and ways of making music; some of the results of his discoveries can be found in songs on this disc such as, “My People,” where he incorporates both players and instruments from Northern India and Northern Africa, to delicious effect.  There is showcased on this album an  ability to listen and incorporate new ideas of every kind into what is relevant to him.

This album is the result of him finally taking the time to stop and gather around him the sounds, and people, and ideas that have been percolating in his thoughts since he had been so busy and then came the unexpected death of his father in 2011.  This disc can be heard on many levels and all are valid and worthy, it is something that is relevant in all ways.  The fact that Guitar World magazine has called him, and Derek Trucks, ‘The New Guitar Gods’ is overshadowed by the new music this disc holds for us.  It goes beyond guitar to musical forms not associated with rock music.  Sit down and listen to “Saharan Crossing,”  and see where it takes you, perhaps back to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones and Jajouka. It is the music of the mountains of Morocco.

On Rich Man, he takes all this experience and personal discovery and uses it to make one of the most exciting and startling discs this year has seen yet.  He takes what he has learned and pulls it all together into a harmonious new form that shows where it has come from and yet stands there proud for all to hear.  Listen to “The Samanas”  and if you want try and pick it apart to see where all the pieces come from or settle back and go with him on this journey of discovery.  Stunning new forms are what I’ll call this music.  And the album closes with a Jimi Hendrix song,  “Hear My Train A Comin’,” coming full circle back to the electric Blues, but new.  One of the most powerful statements of coming forth to be heard, just listen to his guitar scream, moan, and make other as yet unnamed sounds. 

by bob gottlieb