Rafael Tranquilino Band – Blue Slide Road

Often and album is a musical snapshot, documenting an artist at specific place in time, or during a musical exploration. The new EP Blues Slide Road from The Rafael Tranquilino Band released in October of 2014 has that quick and dirty, blurry at the edges and full of flashpoint energy feel of a Polaroid. Bolstered by the mighty new rhythm section of Farko Dosumov on Bass and drummer Ivan Gunderson and lead vocalist Leah Tussing, Tranquilino who gained a reputation as a formidable guitar slinger as a member of The Randy Oxford Band is now free to explore the depths of his guitar skills and push the boundaries of the blues.

The six tracks are delivered in a live without a net feel, showcasing what the group does during their clubs shows. From the opening swirl and rumble of the instrumental title track you realize this is a trip down a side road of the blues into the realm of the slide guitar, as Tranquilino displays the lyrical possibilities and variety of Sonics one can produced in open tuning. Tussing then joins in adding her soulful vocal to the scene for “Driving Blues,” a time shifting boogie with her melodic phrases doubled on guitar and bass with classic effect. The quartet then guides us down Highway 61 during the down and dirty hard luck tale “Delta Soul.”  Tussing delivers a scathing rebuke while the band raves and revs up on the gritty “Son Of A Gun.”  The Slim Harpo styled swamp blues “Come On,” showcases more slide guitar theatrics and the bands raw energy, before the album closes with the every trick in the book slow blues “Start From The Five.” 

Rafael Tranquilino Band – Blue Slide Road 

(Flat Hat productions)

http://www.rtranquilino.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/therafaeltranquilinoband

Rick J Bowen