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JIMI BARBIANI - "Ten O'Clock Train - Live at Brudstock 2014"

JIMI BARBIANI - "Blue Slide"

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After a series of albums with W.I.N.D, Jimi Barbiani has stepped out on his own and gives us his second solo album Blue Slide. Jimi’s band consists of Daniele Vicario (Bass) and Gianluca Zavan (Drums) and while a whole host of different vocalists contribute to the CD, Jimi’s proficient slide guitar skills do the communication for him.

This collection of songs rolls out of the station with the instrumental “Ten O’Clock Train.” Like the songs namesake it chugs along with that familiar driving beat reminiscent of a locomotive provided by the tight rhythm section while Jimi rocks it up and down the fretboard. Next we get the dirty boogie of “Sixty Nine,” which was co-written and sung by Johnny Neel (keyboard player with The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule). “Angel of Mercy” is a straight up rocker with a southern vibe and that some great harmonica playing provided by Gianni Massarutto. Meanwhile soulful vocals are provided by Piero Pattay who we will also hear from again when everything slows down on the ballad “Do Not Lie To Me.”

Things get really interesting though when we get to an excellent cover of Freddie King’s “Going Down.” Alessio Velliscic lends his voice to this one and he is a perfect fit this rocking version of a classic. You will not want this track to end but it is unfortunately it is just too short. So you will find yourself putting this track on repeat and listening to it again and again. A longer version of this would make it a shoe in for The Big Hit. Things slow down considerably after that with the plaintive instrumental “Sad Soul.”

A little trip to Texas is next with a cover of “La Grange,” which pits Jimi’s slide work against the excellent harmonica playing of Gianni again. Piero returns to sing again for “Can’t Ask for More,” which has Jimi’s slide guitar crying away behind the vocals. We get another shot of southern tinged rock courtesy of Cameron Williams from the band Tishamingo who provides the vocals for “Aint’ But One of Two Ways” that he also helped write. Everything wraps up with a cover of the Magic Sam instrumental “Looking Good.”

Slide guitar is really unique to the blues. Having been made popular very early on in blues music by the likes of the Blind Willes Johnson and McTell, Son House and even the great Robert Johnson. From there many rock bands adopted it over the years notably by Duane Allman and even in the modern day by Jack White. Even listeners who claim not to be a fan of slide guitar should pick up Jimi Barbiani’s Blue Slide. It is an impressive album featuring some tremendous slide guitar playing that rocks with a blues influence.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

- Angel of Mercy
- Ain’t But One of Two Ways
- Going Down
- Do Not Lie to Me

The Big Hit

- Ain’t But One of Two Ways

Kevin O’Rourke / Blues Rock Review (September 2014)
 

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The Jimi Barbiani Band is the new project of Jimi Barbiani. This Italian guitarist is one of the best blues rock slide guitarists in Europe. He became known as the guitarist of the band Wind. With his new band, he is now on his second album. In 2010 the debut album "Back On The Tracks" which had some success in Europe. As a promotion of that CD Jimi did an extensive European tour. Jimi Barbiani Band is an alchemy of influences from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck and Gov't Mule. But the music of The JBB is best demonstrated during the live performances. The explosive sound and the intensity in which the three musicians fully enjoy and that often leads to a long jam at the most passionate blues rock actually characterizes The JBB. Jimi is just like its namesake and example a left-handed guitarist who plays from his soul. He always plays from the feeling and instinct, and that he combines with his technical ability.

The album begins with the instrumental 'Ten O'Clock Train'. As the title indicates it on a train, and that sound goes is therefore captured perfectly. It begins with the whistle and the train slowly pulls going, once at full speed, there is no stopping. Jimi acts like a tyrant during his sublime slide game. Gianluca Zavan on drums and Daniele Vicario are the spirited rhythm section that gives class to kick ass. An entrant who can count. The pace remains opdwepend the boogie 'Sixty Nine' Jimi wrote with Johnny Neel (keyboardist with The Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule). Johnny takes his raw voice the vocals and Jimi focused again to his brilliant slide work. The band will also have help from the very energetic harmonica player Gianni Massarutto that his nametag very passionate issues with sublime blow and suction work. No slide guitar in the rocker "Angel of Mercy" which I do recognize influences of Hendrix and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Jimi proves he even without the bottleneck is a brilliant guitarist. Gianni Massarutto here also plays a decisive role. Again there is another singer. This time it Pattay Piero who takes the power vocals. Also in Southern chamois sweet ballad "Do not Lie To Me 'Piero Pattay remains at the microphone. Thanks to the catchy chorus the song stuck in your head and the more I hear it, the better I like it.

There are three covers on the album and not the least. It is always dangerous to songs like 'Going Down' Ten Years After to be retreaded. I am here to say that the version of The JBB definitely worth Alvin Lee but his spirit remains wander about this number. The version of The JBB is very sturdy and short and sung by Alessio Velliscic who has a powerful voice. Jimi Barbiani lets his guitar again nice fat vultures and drummer Gianluca Zavan delivers heavy but perfectly drums off. A song as an album by Carlos Santana's 'Sad Soul'. Johnny Neel carries this song with the warm sounds of his Hammond organ and Jimi shines again with his slide guitar instrumental in this hot soul blues number. The second cover of course everybody knows, namely 'La Grange' of ZZTop. The vocal is much less than in the original, but that makes Gianni Massarutto again more than offset by a strong nummertje on his harmonica. This guy can really captivate me and he makes along with Jimi Barbiani the difference in this song with a matchless game. The fine deep basslines Daniele Vicario to tickle in your stomach during "Can not Ask For More '. Between the strong vocal Piero Pattay screaming guitar Jimi at frightening way for attention. As a bonus, we get a nice fat solo by frontman upon free.

The rhythm section with Daniele on bass and drums Gianluca stabbing the rocker "Is not But One Of Two Ways' still a notch. Cameron Williams is the lead singer of service here. He wrote this song together with Barbiani. The slide guitar Jimi howling that it is a delight and the song is perfectly made for the voice of Cameron. The three musicians enter fully into the mood of the song and bring it right over the listener. Top number. Barbiani closes off the album as he has begun, namely instrumental. 'Looking Good' is a cover of Magic Sam. A rocking boogie of the best quality, with clever slide work but also a very intense solo by bassist Daniele Vicario. This is without doubt one of the best CDs I've had this year in my hands. Jimi Barbiani is one of the best guitarists that are currently running around the globe. Who of rock and blues rock into account smashing guitars and opdwepende slide should definitely buy this album. The album also play a lot of guest musicians who have a lot to offer. Johnny Neel and Gianni Masarutto to it but the two main keep giving the album an extra key.

Walter Vanheuckelom / ROOTSTIME (September 2014)
 

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