Review by Mark Waters
Do you remember “Play loud” printed on the inner sleeve of Let it Bleed, the Rolling Stones last album of the 1960’s? Here we have a trio whose album Grow needs to be played LOUD!
The first track “Got to do Better”, the antithesis of Street Fighting Man is a plea for us all to do better towards each other and not to be just a Street Fighting Man. O.K. Willie is not a Mick Jagger but with his limited vocal range he uses his voice well. In some ways he reminds me of Jim Morrison or Rodger Chapman of Family. The other two members of the Bandits, Matthew Brooks who plays 6 string bass and Andrew Newman on drums and percussion provide the delight and space to enable Wille’s voice and guitar to fly out of the speakers.
Wille plays a mean slide guitar which actually comes to the fore in the more gentle songs for instance “Still go marching In”. Here we have 3 musicians who can play off of each other and at the same time complement each other. The song writing is generally strong with consciousnesses which dose not preach and is relevant to today.
I have only listened to the MP3 download which I think does not do Wille and the Bandit’s album justice. Hopefully the CD will sort out the somewhat muddy mix for some of the more complex loud songs…. or even better please put it out on LP!
[tubepress video=RCw7RfKMDRg]
I would love to hear a couple of instrumental tracks because their instrumental skills are just waiting to be unleashed..Think Cream folks. However, it is a fine album which like any good record “Grows” on you with each successive playing. Buy a copy and enjoy. The single “Gypsy Woman” is a fine taster of the album. And do go to see them live! Touring now!
Will be playing a couple of tracks on my show Sounds Good!
