Excellent blues rock here from Jamie and this cohorts collectively known as the Worried Men. Jamie kindly sent me a review copy of Excelsior.
I knew I’d like it before I listened to it. Why? Because the CD looks like a good old fashioned vinyl record with the grooves and everything.
For those who may not know, Jamie is a fine guitarist indeed. Hard working too.
The Worried Men have been over the years gigging practically non-stop until a “certain even” stopped us all in our tracks earlier this year.
Jamie’s played with a plethora of big names too gaining recognition for his undoubted talents. And with the solid back-up of the Worried Men here on Excelsior he and the band have a fine album indeed.
Jamie’s guitar to the fore of course. Though Ant F Briggs (bass) and Robert Brian (drums) form a monster duo locked in tight.
The ten cuts are a mixture of driving blues-rockers and meaty, sublime instrumentals.
Take the first two – Aces and Eights and Blodwyn. Punchy stuff with nice riffage and fluid work from Jamie when the guitar breaks arrive.
Meadow Stone is the first of the instrumentals. A sort of chilled out affair with some cut to it. Have a listen:
An enjoyable opening three to set the rest up well so you know what you’re in for.
Everything else is just as well written and performed. Jamie’s guitar playing is superb. Solid, constant and fits in to the songs effortlessly.
He cuts loose sure enough too to showcase his talents – but without being flashy for the sake of it. No elongated twiddly bits for ego-trip purposes which some guitarists do. Not Jamie on Excelsior. I think the album’s all the better for it.
I’d imagine the band are storming when playing live. When “you know what” is over and we can write off 2020 for the disaster it’s been and get back to live music again I’d be getting along to a Worried Men gig if they venture up North to my bit of Yorkshire.
In the meantime, get your ears around Excelsior. Why not do that by meandering your way over the Jamie’s web site and buying directly?
Jamie Thyer and the Worried Men:
http://www.theworriedmen.com/
Shop Page:
http://www.theworriedmen.com/bargains.shtml
The photograph at the top of the post I’ve “borrowed” from the web site. It’s credited to Nigel from Eventpix UK Ltd.
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