This CD has continued to grow on me with the passing of time. I liked it when I first heard it but the more I listen to the music and words, the more it permeates my senses in every way. Harris reminded me of Robert Cray at times with his vocal style. He is very expressive and emotional when he sings a song and the 11 tracks on this recording benefit from those feelings and thoughts projected through the music. Harris uses his ears and heart to lead him on this recording session. He also gets some help from the Holmes Brothers with backing vocals for some extra depth and soul on tracks 2, 3, & 10.

I like the way Harris mixes up the blues with gospel and combines the two effectively. The album opens up with a 57-second intro called “Sometimes” then launches into “Sweet Weepin Jesus,” a blues-gospel burner. It is not too hard to figure out which tracks are gospel injected when you look at the titles. My favorites were “Tryin Times,” one that befits the days we live in, and this could apply to so many things depending on who you are, and the gospel track “Didn’t It Rain,” which sounds like an old time spiritual that you would hear ringing out from a church in the deep south somewhere. It really touched me and gave me a feeling of hope and desperation all at the same time. “Edenton” sounds like it could be a single earmarked for radio play; it would be a logical choice for a crossover hit that would lead to a lot of interest in this artist.

That is my take on what I heard now it is up to you to check it out for yourself. If you enjoy the blues or gospel this is a spot on independent release that you will find great joy in hearing until that day comes when the rain begins to fall and it never ends.

Artist: Kemp Harris
Title: Edenton
Genre: Blues-Gospel
Label: Righteous Mischeif LLC
Website

Tracks:
01. Sometimes (0:57)
02. Sweet Weepin Jesus (4:45)
03. Day After Day (4:38)
04. Tryin Times (5:03)
05. Ruthie’s (3:32)
06. Didn’t It Rain (3:13)
07. Mother Earth (3:15)
08. Miles Between Us (5:25)
09. Nightlife (3:02)
10. Edenton (4:41)
11. Sometimes (reprise) (1:09)

Musicians:

Kemp Harris: Vocals & Piano
Jim Lucchese: Drums
Josh Stoltzfus: Guitar
Brian Verrochi: Bass

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Harris’ depth of experience echoes powerfully throughout his sophomore CD release entitled “Edenton,” scheduled for release on March 13th. The album is both a literal and figurative journey back to Harris’ roots in Edenton, North Carolina, the town where he was born.

It features the legendary Holmes Brothers on backing vocals. The Brothers bring the full force of their talent, providing deep, rootsy harmonies to the raw-boned force of Harris’ lead vocals. With the support of the Holmes Brothers, Harris’s original songwriting and performances reflect a mature artist not content to rehash the clichés of the blues and roots genre. Harris shows his willingness to fuse diverse elements in the search for a more modern and timely blues, with intelligent lyrics that are both socially aware and intensely soulful. Edenton brings an edgier, darker hue to this traditional American music.

A diverse group of covers augments the original material. Kemp really reaches back on the gospel classic, “Didn’t It Rain.” This cappella track features his mother and aunt (each of them in their late-seventies) singing a version the trio has been performing together since Kemp’s childhood.

The album was recorded at Hi-n-Dry Studios in Cambridge, MA, the former studio of Mark Sandman and the band Morphine. Tom Dube (Marc Cohn, Buffalo Tom, Ben Kweller, Juliana Hatfield, Duncan Sheik) engineered the album. As a result, the production on the album is sparse, warm, and organic, letting the humanity of the songs and performances come through.

In support of the release, Kemp and his band will be performing throughout the Northeast, kicking off the tour at Joe’s Pub in New York City on Friday, March 30th.

Visit Kemp’s website (www.kempmusic.com) or www.myspace.com/kempharrismusic for downloads, pictures, performance dates and more.

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
Address: 6622 Delongpre Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel: 323-806-0400
Fax: 323-462-0829
Email
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