Joel Paterson & Jim Liban Joel Paterson's newest platter for Ventrella Records, "I Say What I Mean," focuses the spotlight squarely on Milwaukee harmonica ace and songwriter Jim Liban. Long held in high regard by fellow musicians of every stripe and Midwestern blues aficionados, Liban leads a crack session crew through 11 original lyrics and 3 instrumentals tracked at Chicago's Hi-Style Studio. While the production is unabashedly vintage, Liban's songs and warm, engaging vocals lend the proceedings a timeless quality rare in contemporary recordings.
The synergy Paterson mentions in his thoughtful liner notes is immediately evident in the disc's eponymous opener - tough guitar, a swaggering beat, and HUGE harp tone. As a matter of fact, every song on the disc could be described that way! Liban and Paterson present us a groove album that is equal in artistic achievement and danceability, one where no song or style fusion seems out of place; in fact, tunes like "Must've Been Dreaming" call to mind the entirely plausible daydream of James Cotton jamming with Carl Perkins at Sun.
What sets this album far above the rest, however, is Liban's songcraft in both lyric and melody. He peppers his songs with memorable and meaningful lines like "Last night was my last call," on "No More Alcohol" and confidently doubles Paterson's guitar on "Real Good Deal." Every elegant instrumental break fits its song, and the arrangements keep the listener intrigued on repeated spins. There's little doubt; Jim Liban & Joel Paterson's "I Say What I Mean" is a long-overdue masterpiece of American roots music. Highly recommended.
Purchase here!
The synergy Paterson mentions in his thoughtful liner notes is immediately evident in the disc's eponymous opener - tough guitar, a swaggering beat, and HUGE harp tone. As a matter of fact, every song on the disc could be described that way! Liban and Paterson present us a groove album that is equal in artistic achievement and danceability, one where no song or style fusion seems out of place; in fact, tunes like "Must've Been Dreaming" call to mind the entirely plausible daydream of James Cotton jamming with Carl Perkins at Sun.
What sets this album far above the rest, however, is Liban's songcraft in both lyric and melody. He peppers his songs with memorable and meaningful lines like "Last night was my last call," on "No More Alcohol" and confidently doubles Paterson's guitar on "Real Good Deal." Every elegant instrumental break fits its song, and the arrangements keep the listener intrigued on repeated spins. There's little doubt; Jim Liban & Joel Paterson's "I Say What I Mean" is a long-overdue masterpiece of American roots music. Highly recommended.
Purchase here!
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