Ways Not to Lose
Blue Note
Chris Wood (bassist for avant-garde jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood) reunites with brother Oliver (singer/songwriter/guitarist for horn-driven blues-funk outfit King Johnson) after 10 years for a toe-tapping collection of acoustic, soulful, sometimes-funky blues-folk.
The disc’s 12 selections comprise seven Oliver-penned tunes from the King Johnson repertoire, two new Oliver compositions, two Chris-Oliver co-writes and one traditional number (“Angel Band”). Drummer Chris Wollesen joins the duo on five tracks. MMW keyboardist John Medeski produces.
Oliver, whose nasally tenor perfectly complements the guitar-bass combo, turns in impressive steel-bodied slide work throughout. Chris’ standup bass really shines in the minimalist lineup, bringing back memories of “Where’s the Money”-era Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks.
Clinching it, however, are the lyrics, the heaviness of which is obscured by the music’s lightness. Here’s a taste, from “Tried and Tempted”:
I’d like to be the wind
don’t wanna be the sail
I’d like to be the train
not the rail
Tracks
1. One More Day
2. Tried And Tempted
3. Luckiest Man
4. Glad
5. Chocolate On My Tongue
6. Atlas
7. Time To Stand Still
8. The Truth Is The Light
9. Spirit
10. Angel Band
11. Where My Baby Might Be
12. That’s What Angels Can Do
Total time: 44:05
External Links
artist’s link
amazon.com
iTunes Store
