To those of you who may think it unusual
for a band from Japan to be proficient in the Southern Rock
genre, remember this: the so-called British Invasion of the
Sixties was simply a horde of young musicians who were
passionate about American Blues, Rhythm and Blues and old school
Rock and Roll.
Just as Clapton, Jagger and Richards,
Eric Burdon and a host of others brought their own version of
American music to our shores, Bluestone Co., formerly Savoy
Truffle, has certainly earned its position as one of the finest
of today's Southern Rock bands.
With their newest, eponymous named CD,
Bluestone Co. continues to provide insightful lyrics along with
some tasty guitar licks, backed by a solid rhythm section.
Bluestone Co. consists of:
Toshihiro Sumitomo; Lead Guitar
Yoshihiro Ogasahara; Bass Guitar
Taizo Takafuji; Drums
Taro Takagi; Percussion
With their collaboration with blues
rocker, Chris Duarte, Bluestone Co. has presented us with an
outstanding play list of genuine Southern Rock. The drums are
tight, the bass is busy, and the guitars chase each other,
trading rhythm chords for tube screaming leads with amazing
dexterity. The lyrics are rife with social portent; the tracks
don’t sing the blues, they tell it like it is.
This recording is outstanding in every
aspect, but guitar fanatics will best appreciate the diversity
and execution of every single riff. Shades of everyone from
Dickey Betts to Carlos Santana are well represented, with a
rhythm section capable of supporting the stellar guitar solos.
"Bluestone Co." is thirty-eight minutes
of sweet Southern Rock, bound to be enjoyed by music lovers
everywhere.
