REVIEW: Barefoot Servants, Barefoot Servants
- Bob Gajarsky
Once every so often, an album comes from out of nowhere to take ahold of you and not let go. The Barefoot Servants debut eponymously titled album does just that.
The Barefoot Servants, consisting of Jon Butcher and Ben Schultz, are no stranger to the music industry. Butcher paid his dues in the 1980's fronting the Jon Butcher Axis, while Schultz has played with Buddy Miles, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks. But, this is the first time the two have collaborated in any musical form, and the results are truly extraordinary.
The first radio track, "Box of Miracles", drives home the band's rocking base, while "Muscle Car" and "Love's Made A Fool" make you want to come back for more. The album also includes two cover songs, Elmore James' "It Hurts Me Too" and a gospel-inflected version of Johnny Mercer's "Drinkin' Again".
The groups that Barefoot Servants remind you of could fill a rock and blues listener's wet dream. John Lee Hooker. Georgia Satellites. Jimi Hendrix. Black Crowes. Foreigner's Lou Gramm. Eric Clapton. B.B. King. The Barefoot Servants have a touch of each of those artists in their songs, and yet sound *exactly* like none of them.
This is a must-get album for anyone who wants to hear the blues and rock together, 1990's style. Barefoot Servants. All the raw energy that a rock and blues band can provide without being in a smoke-filled room.
