Blades’ Field Notes
Released on the Royal Potato Family label, his latest effort as described on the their website, states, “When Wil Blades sits down at the Hammond B3, count on inspired music to follow. The 34-year old, Chicago-native, Berkeley-based artist is a cornerstone organist of his generation—a modern voice in a lineage that includes giants like Richard “Groove” Holmes, Charles Earland and Brother Jack McDuff.
Having studied at the feet of the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith and played alongside the likes of John Lee Hooker, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammad, Blades has absorbed the spirit of the masters. His extensive collaborations also reflect the high regard in which he’s held by contemporaries, including Stanton Moore, Anders Osborne and Nicholas Payton.
Having released a critically acclaimed co-led duo album Shimmy with Medeski Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin in 2012, Blades returns with a deeply soulful and sinuous nine-track effort,Field Notes, on which he’s found fronting his own trio featuring Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and New Orleans’ drummer Simon Lott.
From the recording’s outset, it’s easy to picture Blades fingers free-flowing across the keys, feet gliding along the bass pedals in a continuous dance. Syncopation drives songs like “Miller’s Time” and “Addis” as the trio locks in tight to a relentless groove. But there’s also a refined harmonic vision and deep affection for melody on tracks like “(I Can’t Stand) The Whole Lott of You” and “Dewey” where Blades’ Clavinet adds a fresh sonic dimension to the proceedings. Shades of psychedelia are weaved within “Parks ‘N’ Wreck,” while a tip of the hat to vintage soul jazz balladry informs “Forgetful” and classic pop swing is at the heart of “I Get The Blues When It Rains.”
In its sum, Field Notes is a masterful statement from an artist who’s poised to keep the timeless sound of the Hammond B3 organ as vital and compelling today as it’s ever been in the history of modern jazz and rock…”
Being a huge fan of great organ trios and duos like those of the late Larry Young, Brian Auger, Joey DeFrancesco and more recently Jared Gold, I loved Blades’ Shimmy album and from what I’ve heard of Field Notes, you won’t be disappointed with this latest effort either. As for the rest of the group; Skerik was one of the driving forces behind Critters Buggin’, a group I saw many times in Seattle, with bassist Brad Hauser and drummer Matt Chamberlain, (known also as the rhythm section of the New Bohemians); Having seen the Headhunters back in ’74, Mike Clark is one of the funkiest drummers to ever grace the kit, and his grooves on Herbie Hancock’s “Palm Grease” and “Actual Proof” are still the stuff of legend; Parker’s guitar work with Tortoise was always tasty and it’s a treat to hear him alongside Blades. This is going to be a good one folks.
Boom Boom Room Presents presents
Mike Clark (Headhunters),Skerik (Les Claypool),
Wil Blades (Stanton Moore), Jeff Parker (Tortoise)
Friday, August 15th and Saturday August 16th @ 9:00
Tickets $18
