The only thing wrong with the six-song EP The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It, is that there are only six songs.
Like James Brown said, “let’s hit it, and quit,” Amos gathered together what he calls a “Gutbucket power trio,” of Chris Roberts (guitar),Don Medina (drums),and Ed Terrio (bass) then threw down the tracks old school — live, with no overdubs — in one day.
Amos grew up around the entertainment industry and is the CEO of the digital content studio Freshwire but, with the help of his long-time friend Steve Jordan, has stepped up to the microphone to add his stamp to the legacy of blues and classic R&B. Executive producer Jordan no doubt was the guiding force behind the vintage aesthetic of the album, as he was the musical director for the films Cadillac Records and Lightning in a Bottle. Clearly a disciple of Little Walter and Junior Wells, Amos carefully chose the four cover songs to demonstrate his vocal and harmonica skills, and the depth of the blues form.
Track one opens with Amos tagging his harp to a reverb-soaked guitar riff from Roberts, then reciting the Sonny Boy Williams tale of deception, “Hoodoo Man Blues,” with fresh energy. The Bo Diddley beat-and-slap back echo of “I’m The Face” is recreated with perfection, bringing to light this 1961 B-side gem from British mod rock pioneers the High Numbers, aka. the Who. Amos testifies his heartache, stretching the phrases of the Elmore James slow blues tune “Something Inside Me,” milking the emotional effect. “Good Morning Little School Girl,” is a straight-up cover of Junior Wells, as if Amos was sent in from central casting, but that is a hard won skill. Amos presents two new tunes written in the same classic R&B style by first adding greasy B3 and soul sister backup vocals to the funky “(The Girl is) Heavy,” and wearing his heart on his sleeve for “Sometime I Wonder.”
Shawn Amos
The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It
(Put Together)
Rick J Bowen
