Like a hot desert wind stirring up everything in its past, Rich Hopkins and Luminarios blast through their latest release El Paso. With the Luminarios, an informal group of talented musician friends, Tucson songwriter/guitarist Rich Hopkins blazes once again the musical territory he calls home. As he did with the Sidewinders (later renamed Sand Rubies after a legal battle over the name), Hopkins delivers a series of blistering guitar rockers that demand and keep your attention.
The twelve tracks here are all outstanding, from the catchy and upbeat "Careless" to the raucous send-off of "3 Sheets to the Wind." "Wildweed" and "Gunny Black" are hook-filled mid-tempo songs, the latter featuring violin and bouncy acoustic guitar. But El Paso is at its hottest on "Love and Death," "Unglued" and "Apology." This is where Hopkins unleashes scorching guitar, playing with an authentically branded Neil Young intensity. "Love and Death" actually recalls the melody of Young's "Cowgirl in the Sand," but the electric guitars here are much louder and more powerful. Amazingly, Hopkins achieves in the studio the same type of unforgettable fire that Young usually only delivers live.
Rich Hopkins & Luminarios' El Paso is a slash and burn adventure that just doesn't want to stop. In fact, it slows down and cools off only twice, on the poignant "Nacadoches" and the instrumental, acoustic campfire number "Coffee Grounds and Goodbyes." This release is a must for anyone who likes great guitar and well crafted songs, and who believes that classic rock is not just a thing of the past.
