American ‘Bayou Soul’ singer-songwriter and performer MARC BROUSSARD (son of one time Louisiana Boogie King Ted Broussard) has released his studio album ‘S.O.S. 4: Blues For Your Soul’ out 3rd March 2023.
Please help spread the word about the newest (fourth) instalment of Broussard’s independent charitable S.O.S record series, which was published on Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive label because 50% of the proceeds from the single’s sales will go to Miami’s Guitars Over Guns.
Guitars Over Guns is a non-profit organisation that gives youngsters in the most at-risk neighbourhoods music lessons along with mentoring.
“This album seems like the culmination of a process that started when I went independent,” says Broussard. “It’s based on believing in myself and the music my fellow musicians, and I make. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Broussard easily conveys his own unique spin on the blues-soul standard, ‘I’ve Got To Use My Imagination’, penned by the legendary songwriters Gerry Goffin and Barry Goldberg for Gladys Knight & the Pips and which featured on their Buddah Records debut album, Imagination in 1973. Broussard effortlessly conveys his own distinctive twist on the song.
With the help of guitar accompaniment from Soulive’s Eric Krasno and a blistering solo from none other than Joe Bonamassa, Broussard delivers a strong and dynamic vocal performance. The song is influenced by Bland’s remix while also delving further into the elusive impulses that are at the core of the song’s meaning and message.
Set against a permeating buzzing riff, Broussard’s voice has a great richness and poignancy that is flavorful and shadow-filled, similar to the darkness and smokiness of those ever-darkening swamps. The rhythms also contribute to the growing sense of dread and uncertainty. While the piece is being played through, Bonamassa’s guitar solo pierces it like lime and lemon juice.
‘Cuttin’ In’ featuring the Lafayette Hub City star Roddie Romero, is a spectacular and evocatively immersive re-telling of the 1962 Johnny Guitar Watson hit. The song was perhaps made even more famous as a waltzing prom-night version, by P.J.Proby. But Broussard’s rendition retains the grand exposition of the moment, the drama, the undercurrent of regret, and the atmosphere of teen angst set in a beeswax ‘n’ rosewood ballroom. In other words, this is a perfect taste of soul-filled blues.
an unctuous treat for the ears!
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
The cover of Little Milton’s ‘That’s What Love Will Make You Do’ (video shared below) features the liquid cool-handed string-tincturing of Joe Bonamassa right from the start (with record producing musician Josh Smith on rhythm guitar) and arrives stuffed with pulsating rhythms and, of course, the emotive, expansive, and euphoric clout of Broussard’s mustard-onions, and butterscotch voice… it’s an unctuous treat for the ears!
‘S.O.S. 4: Blues For Your Soul’ is distinctive, soul-stirring, and authoritative blues for the worldwise and well-adjusted music appreciators in the audience.
Words: @neilmach 2023 ©
Main photo credit:: © Jeff Fasano
RAW RAMP 