Blue Mesa

Blue Mesa

by Luke Winslow-King
Blue Mesa

Blue Mesa

by Luke Winslow-King

CD(Digi-Pak)

$17.99 
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Overview

The last time we heard from Luke Winslow-King, he was freshly divorced and still feeling the sting. 2016's I'm Glad Trouble Don't Last Always was a break-up album if there ever was such a thing, and while it was a strong and well-crafted piece of work, sometimes it was hard not to feel a little bad for the guy. Two years later, Winslow-King's broken heart has apparently healed, and if 2018's Blue Mesa isn't free of bad luck and trouble, there's a stride in his step that confirms he's back on track. I'm Glad Trouble Don't Last Always found Winslow-King moving away from the vintage country and jazz influences of his earlier work toward a sound more akin to contemporary blues, and he doubles down on that on Blue Mesa. Winslow-King hasn't abandoned his love of American roots music, but these songs are dominated by electric, not acoustic sounds, and he sounds more than comfortable with the shift. There's an easygoing joy in "You Got Mine" and "Better For Knowing You," he edges into rock & roll on the playful swagger of "Born to Roam," there's a pleasing sass to the upbeat shuffle of "Chicken Dinner," and the folkie roll of "After the Rain" is subtle and satisfying. Winslow-King's guitar work is splendid on these recordings, showing virtuosity without excess flash, and he's singing better than ever, giving life to his songs and making them instantly relatable. And if "Farewell Blues," written as Winslow-King's father was battling cancer, isn't exactly cheerful, it sounds less like a man mourning a loss than a celebration of a life well-lived. Winslow-King's accompanists on Blue Mesa deliver strong work that complements the songs beautifully, especially guitarist Roberto Luti, keyboard man Mike Lynch, and drummer Chris Davis. Blue Mesa may find Luke Winslow-King going through some changes, but the result is some of his very best music to date. Talk about being on the rebound. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date: 05/11/2018
Label: Bloodshot
UPC: 0744302026220
Rank: 72241

Tracks

  1. You Got Mine
  2. Leghorn Women
  3. Blue Mesa
  4. Born to Roam
  5. Better for Knowing You
  6. Thought I Heard You
  7. Break Down the Walls
  8. Chicken Dinner
  9. After the Rain
  10. Farewell Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Luke Winslow-King   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Laura Bates Lerman   Vocals (Background)
Roberto Luti   Guitar (Electric)
Mike Lynch   Piano,Accordion,Wurlitzer,Fender Rhodes,Organ (Hammond)
Mike Shimmin   Percussion
Jen Sygit   Vocals (Background)
Matt Rhody   Violin
Christian Carpenter   Bass (Electric)
Ben Polcer   Trumpet
Dominick Grillo   Sax (Baritone)
Chris Davis   Drums
Etienne Jean Stoufflet   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Luke Winslow-King   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Glenn Brown   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Markus Greiner   Design
Nick King   Engineer
Chris Smith   Engineer
Christian Carpenter   Engineer
Andrea Ciacchini   Engineer
Victor Alonso   Photography
Andrea Pachetti   Engineer
Nick Gutmann   Engineer
Lissa Driscoll   Composer
Lacopo Bigagli   Assistant
Earl Scioneaux III   Mixing,Editing
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