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Sugar Lime Blue

The Blackbird Sessions

Review by Gary Hill

The mix of sounds on this album is great. There is a real classic vibe to much of this. The range of genres include blues, funk, jam band sounds and even reggae and country. The set is pretty effective. The female vocals are strong, but I think at times they could benefit from a richer, thicker mix. All in all, this is effective music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review
Burn It
A funky, bluesy rocking groove starts the album. The vocals are so potent, and the whole tune just oozes retro cool. The organ lends some serious old-school vibes to it. I really dig the first melodic guitar solo a lot. It brings some nearly jazzy angles to the cut. As a new instrumental jam ensues we get meatier guitar soloing amidst an arrangement that makes me think of Red Hot Chili Peppers just a little. They eventually bring it back to the song proper from there. This is a killer tune from start to finish and a great way to start the album.
Nowhere

There is a jazzy sort of sound to this. The vocals don't work quite as well here, but that's more a factor of how strong the opener was than any real weakness here. I did the reggae vibe on the number. This is an intriguing change from the previous song.

Troublesome Man
A bluesy acapella track, this is intriguing and strong.
Didn't Mean to Kill You
With plenty of funk and blues in the mix, this track is more in line with the blend of sounds that the opener showed off. It is a real powerhouse that has some killer instrumental fills. I'm reminded just a little of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album at times on this song.
Million Pieces
Slide guitar (or pedal steel) brings some real country angles to this number. It's another potent song. I like the variety it provides, too.
Cattin' Around
While this still has a healthy helping of blues, there seems to be more of a modern sound to the track. Yet, it's also pretty well tied to jam band type music. I can make out some hints of The Grateful Dead on the arrangement to this.
Prophet
An energetic rocker, this one has a more modern tone, too. The guitar solo on the track has more of that jam band thing, but also some hints of prog rock. The whole cut has such a killer rocking groove to it.
Hello October
An old time rock and roll vibe is in the driver's seat here. This is effective, but doesn't really grab me. Still, it does bring more variety with it.
El Chupacabra
A fun and energetic tune, this has an unusual, and still catchy, vibe to it. The vocal arrangement is the most complex one of the whole set. This is an entertaining piece with plenty of rock and roll in the mix.
  
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