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PEBBLEMAN - "Loaded"

PEBBLEMAN - "Dead Man's Eyes"

PEBBLEMAN - "I've Got A Girl"

PEBBLEMAN - "Live Or Die"

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You can often place the blues into distinct boxes denoting the style you'll expect to find when you break the tape and set the sounds free. However that's not necessarily the case with Pebbleman, a four-piece who sound authentically American, yet dip into the UK blues scene of the 70s and somehow manage to add an accessibly memorable European twist. So where on Earth could this band come from? South Africa, obviously!

The star behind this classy mix is guitarist Richard Pryor (no, not that Richard Pryor, obviously), a man who roams where his six string takes him. He's flanked by the simply awesome vocal talents of Jesse Jordan, a singer whose full rich range adds hugely to the already bubbling pot of riffs, solos and grooves. The backbone? Well that arrives in the shape of bassist Rob Stemmett and drummer Kevin Gibson, the pair clever enough to know that their contributions are all the more vital for being exactly what the songs require, although they undoubtedly know when to add a few well placed embellishments.

"Loaded" is where we start and considering just how loaded the band's fourth album, Call Of Fate, is with rich classy nuggets of blues rock, it's an apt title. The song itself sets the album's stall out clear and simple, ultra-fluid fret work from Pryor a joy to behold, as a chorus that proves much more stick in the mind than you'd expect in this setting, quickly takes hold. However here and elsewhere on COF, what really resides in the memory banks is the big, thick, irresistible grooves, the temptation to sing them long after this album has stopped spinning, simply too tough to resist. "Live Or Die" rides the gamut of slick pace setter and easy scene stealer, the music painting a picture you can't help but want to step into, while the authentic mood carries you along – if Bonamassa had written this, it would be received as greatness.

From there "Love Is A Powerful Thing" adds a mighty slice of soul, something reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" given a guitar fuelled turbo-injection. Whereas "Count On You" takes the tried and tested train kept a rollin' groove and rides it straight into the station marked Bryan Adams meets Robin Trower – it shouldn't work, but once that groove has shaken your house to the floor, you won't be able to deny just how well it does. Add in the traditional blues holler of "Baby Calls My Name" and the six string workout that closes the proceedings in the shape of "Brand New Day" and you're left with a blues album that quite gloriously covers all the expected bases and then adds many more.

Steven Reid / Sea Of Tranquility (May 2015)
 

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Pebbleman returns with Call of Fate, which is the fourth album by the South African band. Pebbleman is really the brainchild of guitarist Richard Pryor who is one of the few South African players with an endorsement from Fender. Kevin Gibson and Rob Stemett are still holding down the drums and bass respectively while Jesse Jordan growls and wails over the top of it all.

Pryor grew up listening to bands like Deep Purple. Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath, which you can clearly hear in the heavy hard rock edge of this album. He no doubt has the rock guitar chops to back everything up. However, don’t think that this is just a hard rock fret board arpeggio exercise. He lists SRV, Gary Moore and Joe Bonamassa as some of his influences and has spent years playing and still does with the band Boulevard Blues which is straight up blues rock.

As the first track says this album is literally “Loaded” with rocking tracks including “Energy,” “Live or Die,” and “Deadman’s Eyes.” It storms out of the gate and never lets off the gas until things slow down slightly at the end with the guitar driven instrumental “Brand New Day.” There is plenty of blues in there, too, with tracks like “Count On You,” “I’ve Got a Girl,” and “Baby Calls My Name.” Of particular note though is an outstanding cover of Philip Sayce’s “Love is a Powerful Thing.”

This is a full throttle old school rock ride with a nitrous shot of metal and some blues guitar screaming at the limits of traction the whole way to the end of the strip. The old school ’70s rock bands like Whitesnake and Led Zeppelin had deep roots in the blues and were really modern interpretations or you could say they were even an evolution of the blues for their time. If you are a fan of the classic rock bands that had a great guitar player with a solid rhythm section and a powerful vocalists then you will like this album.

The Review: 7.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks
– Loaded
– Love is a Powerful Thing
– Deadman’s Eyes
– I’ve Got a Girl

The Big Hit

– Loaded

Kevin O'Rourke / BLUES ROCK REVIEW (January 2015)
 

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Honestly, who has heard about Pebbleman? Well, at least I had not and I have to admit that this was an absolute failure on my part. Why? Because I have several times heard about "Call Of Fate" back and forth in the last few days. Sure, by the very fact of repeated mention it should be clear to our readers that the South African group exactly meets my taste. Because unlike our fussi world champion, the numerous guitars solos of Richard Pryor are repeatedly put forward. In combination with the rock'n'roll singer Jesse Jordan, bassist Rob Stemmett and drummer Kevin Gibson this is blues rock at its best. I've had enough just a taste and already "Call Of Fate" has my nerves permanently stimulated until further notice.

The opener "Loaded" improves my circulation in no time at full operating temperature, even after a good hour with the final act and also the longest piece on the disc, "Brand New Day", continues. From A to Z this recording goes full steam ahead into your head. The ballad "Energy", provides, as it gives an idea of the title, also so much energy. It leaves nothing more to be desired. I like it because I can reassure the listener: Despite somewhat softer presentation, I can here get a brief rest from the expected seizures. The main reason for this lies primarily in Pryor's excellent playing, specifically tailor-made for the Old Blues in me. In fact, he dominates all facets of the guitar art, which he always brings again in every song on the album at the highest level. To my mind, another six-string magician has played in the Champion of the Champions League. Mister Pryor, at least from me there for your guitar magic with a one star plus! The same marks to your guitar champ in the category 'songwriting', for which he is responsible completely alone in "Call Of Fate". It is him that has wonderfully managed to put all the songs in a great rhythm with high recognition value, so the full album can be easily archived to long-term memory. In addition, he has understood it very well, despite numerous solo attacks to garnish his interpretation of the blues rock with classic rock elements from the period of the seventies so that this recording, while rocking enormously, sparks and powerful pushes forward, still very digestible from the boxing rings out. The sound quality is perfectly mixed surrounded by a bold grooved sound. Comparatively, I feel as if I would roar along the highway in a Ferrari, always would be first, without even begin to exhaust the entire horsepower. And yet, the more I inhale this disc, the louder act the songs on my heart, the more intoxicating the album.

Probably the greatest man of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, never knew of Pebbleman, and if so, I can only say: What a pity, Mr. Mandela! Because he would probably be just as surprised and delighted as I to hear what music and what a great blues rock band represents his country. So much so well that "Call Of Fate" is not just about one hundred percent convinced me, but provided me with an additional tip graphics. This is from my side with the highest award and I am as happy as 'Bolle' not with the usual favorites such as Bonamassa, Shepherd or Freischlader, but a band from South Africa - Pebbleman!

Rocktimes.de (July 2014)
 

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South African blues rock band Pebbleman return with their highly anticipated new release, 'Call Of Fate'. This is the band's fourth studio outing and just like their previous releases, it delivers the goods. Pebbleman are the real deal. The band is powered by Jesse Jordan, an amazing singer whose vocals ooze with soulful passion. Richard Pryor (no relation to the comedian) on guitar, this guy can play some serious smokin' blues guitar! Rounding out the band are Rob Stemmett on bass and Kevin Gibson on drums. There is a great mix between the upbeat and laid back tracks, this is as straightforward blues rock as you can find these days. From the opening soul shaker, "Loaded" to machismo swagger of tracks "Live Or Die", "Dead Man's Eyes", "I've Got A Girl" to the slow bump and bluesy grind of "Baby Calls My Name". Every track on this album is a keeper, all killer no filler. 'Call Of Fate' is authentic, blues-infused rock, alternately searing hot, sweetly and downright funky. Even the laid back instrumental, "Brand New Day" unfolds over a base of smokin' guitar and solid bass providing extra, delicious dimension. If you can imagine sizzling habaneros mixed with amber incense and black leather, you'll begin to get the idea. Overall, 'Call Of Fate' is powerful, dynamic and packs one hell of a punch! Pebbleman defines what superb hard blues rock excellence feels and sounds like. It will definitely get the endorphines flowing! Anyone who likes , Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, SRV, Philip Sayce, Gary Moore and the blues will without doubt love this. Don't go on Jonesin' for the next big thing, it's already here, and it's called Pebbleman.- Highly Recommended

Tony Sison @ The Dedicated Rocker Society / All Access Magazine (June 2014)
 

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Ok, I will admit, the name Pebbleman didn’t really hit me as an especially cool or serious one (it actually made me think of the Flintstones). However, opening track Loaded shows this band is 100 % serious! Fat and crunchy Strat riffs with a funky touch and a heavy blues vibe has serious written all over it! Who delivers these riffs… well, I am serious, but there is one Richard Pryor handling the guitar and songwriting. Nope, not the comedian who did Stir Crazy and Silver Streak. Pebbleman is a quartet out of South Africa. Heavy, bluesy, riff-oriented rock with touches of Robin Trower, Mahogany Rush and Philip Sayce, the latter especially when it comes to Pryor’s outstanding and explosive guitar playing, with that good old fat Strat neck pick-up sound. His style is very slinky and fluid, yet loaded with feel and attitude. The band also does a great rendition of Philip Sayce’s funky tune Love Is A Powerful Thing. Singer Jesse Jordan may not be your regular rough edged blues singer, but a more melodic style vocalist, still with a killer blues feel and his voice fits the style perfectly. The rhythm section comprising bassist Rob Stemmett and drummer Kevin Gibson, fill every crack and crevice with fat licks and groovy hits. This was a new acquaintance for me and a very nice one indeed! By the way, apparently this is the fourth Pebbleman album! I've got some searching to do!

JANNE STARK / STARK MUSIC REVIEWS (May 2014)
 

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Pebbleman takes its place in rock history -- it's on a par with any of the old school classics! Backed by a stellar band and a singularly unique singer, he plows through mainly original music, my favorites being "Baby Calls My Name" (a slow blues), the title track, and the final tune (an instrumental), in which Pryor and band outdo themselves. Musically and emotionally satisfying, this is hard rock like it is meant to be played -- and listened to. Highly recommended.

Steve Rosen - Author (May 2014)
 

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