LARRY GRIFFITH
"HIGH WIRE WALKIN"
SECOND HEAVEN RECORDS
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO
COPYRIGHT 2006
One definition of the word listen is 'Pay close attention to'. I disagree. Everyone
knows that it's certainly possible, and too often quite prevalent, to 'hear',
but pay absolutely no 'attention' at all. I think this is especially true with
music. Haven't you ever gone to a club and seen a bunch of people 'listening'
to the band, 'hearing' the music but paying zero 'attention'? Of course! From
time to time, I've even been guilty of this myself. It happens, especially when
you do what I do. After listening to so many different CD's, from so many different
bands, with so many different styles, the gap between listening and paying attention
can and does widen. Then, out of nowhere you'll hear a cd that will make you
say "WHOA!" And, before you know it you're paying attention like you're
in a room full of over the top drill sergeants. "HIGH WIRE WALKIN",
by LARRY GRIFFITH is such a CD.
"HIGH WIRE WALKIN", is a perfect mix of funky, soulful and serious
blues, all done with severe intensity. LARRY GRIFFITH roams somewhere between
Bobby Blue Bland meets Luther Vandross and Little Milton meets Lou Rawls. Joining
LARRY on this project, which he co produced; wrote eleven of the twelve tracks;
sings all the Lead Vocals; plays the Drums and Rhythm Guitar and sings Background
Vocals are: OLIVER WOOD, Lead Guitar and Background Vocals; MARK BENCUYA, Keyboards;
TOMMY VICKERY, Bass and Background Vocals; MARCUS JAMES, Saxophone; JON LIEBMAN,
Harp; HEAVEN DAVIS, Lead and Background Vocals; RUSTY HAYES and BIG JAMES KNOX
on Background Vocals.
The opening track, "BETTER MAN", makes a great first impression. Behind
some excellent background vocals and some very good lead guitar work by OLIVER,
LARRY'S vocals highlight this track and leave you looking forward to hearing
more of his wonderful singing style.
"YOU AIN'T WALKIN" finds the whole band in a soft, yet very funky
groove. In spite of LARRY'S vocals which are a constant highlight, everyone
in the band has some nice input on this one.
After listening to the next track more times than I could count. I actually
called my wife into the room and told her that she had to listen to this song
because it may very well be the best duet I have ever heard. "ONE OF US
GOTS TO GO" is an absolute masterpiece. HEAVEN DAVIS & LARRY GRIFFITH
are too good together for words to describe. This song needs to be heard to
actually believe how good it is. I swear, I'm shaking my head in awe as I sit
hear listening, again and again. There is more emotion, more soul and more intensity
in this song than should be legally allowed. MARK'S phenomenal work on the Hammond
Organ and OLIVER'S searing blues riffs on guitar help make this track not only
the highlight of this disc but one of the best musical pieces these ears have
heard in many a year.
"LUNATIC ON THE LINE" & "HEAD OVER HEALS" are two great
harmonica tracks. The first is a hot number with several nice harmonica leads
by JON, as well as some great rhythm from TOM on bass and LARRY on drums. The
second features JON doing some very nice high end Jimmy Reed style of playing.
"THIS LOVE OF OURS", as well as several other tracks, is highlighted
by very impressive harmonizing and background vocals. This is one of those 'stop
what you're doin' and sing along while you snap your fingers' kinda songs. Lots
of more good drums, organ and guitar by LARRY, MARK and OLIVER.
"RETHINKIN' MY THOUGHTS" is the last track on "HIGH WIRE WALKIN",
and it's the only track that features the saxophone. Too bad, MARCUS does a
masterful job on it and hearing more of him could have only made this amazing
CD that much more amazing.
Quite frankly, until I had been asked to give this CD a listen, I had never
heard of LARRY GRIFFITH. Now that I have, it is my hope that this writing will
help others to discover the musical delight that I just have. Simply put - "Ya
gotta get this disc".
This review has been complimentary written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman"
Lauro, A contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com
where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs
and find an abundance of blues material. I can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com