Delta Highway Live!
Delta Highway at The Alamo
Springfield IL
November 10, 2008
Review by Ben Cox at jukejointsoul.blogspot.com
I first had the opportunity to enjoy the blistering harmonica/guitar attack of Delta Highway this summer at Springfield's annual Washington Street Jazz & Blues Festival. Needless to say, these guys floored me with their mixture of Mississippi Delta & Hill Country Blues with a bit of a rock tinge in it. Their arrangements of pure Delta rhythms into something wholly contemporary and fresh was a soothing sound to the ears.
Delta Highway returned to Springfield for the Illinois Central Blues Club's Blue Monday on November 10 as the top bill. This time, Delta Highway brought along their steady bass player "Tall" Paul Chase for his first visit to Springfield. The Alamo was packed to the brim, literally with several people spilling out to the enclosed beer garden and into the bathroom hallway. They all wanted to get a listen at the young boys from Memphis who can play the ruckus blues-rock and the deep, downhome country blues with equal fervor and passion.
Ripping into elongated instrumentals and some even longer jams from several selections of their new album The Devil Had A Woman. Brandon Santini (harp, vocals), Justin Sulek (guitar), Chase (bass), and "Steady" Kevin Eddy laid into some deep grooves throughout the night. There were several instances where the dance floor filled. At one point, Santini himself, stepped out into the crowd with only his harmonica mic in hand to sing and rouse the crowd to a fever pitch of clapping and call and response. It is without question that as Delta Highway continues to grab attention for their latest album on radio and their juke rockin' live performances that they are definitely a band on the cusp of breaking into some major stages very, very soon.
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ALTERNATIVES NEWS MAGAZINE - Myrtle Beach, SC - www.myrtlebeachalternatives.com
Dariel's CD Picks
By Dariel Bendin
Delta Highway
The Devil Had a Woman
(2007)
Oh Lonesome Me Records
Genre: Blues
The first time I saw Delta Highway live was this summer at the 2008 Cape Fear Blues Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina. I became an instant fan that very afternoon and since that day, The Devil Had a Woman – Delta Highway’s exciting sophomore effort – has owned the No. 1 slot in my CD player.
This ten-track (plus hidden bonus track!!) CD is loaded with rockin’ blues, sure to excite fans of the traditional genre as well as those who bleed over to the broad-based rocker label.
Founded by frontman Brandon Santini (vocals and harp) and guitarist Justin Sulek in 2003, Delta Highway is fast earning a reputation for strong songwriting and a sound that’s at once rooted in tradition while it explores new avenues. This disc delivers one winner after another. Every tune is essential. No cannon fodder here – from “23 Hours,” the opening shuffle to the number 11 surprise, “Burnside," a nod to Mississippi guitarist R. L. Burnside.
The synergy between Santini and Sulek was tantamount at the live show and translates just as strongly to the disc. Tom “Slim” Louis on bass and “Steady” Kevin Eddy on drums and percussion consistently provide the band’s driving rhythms. On “Feeling Bad,” Santini’s skilled harp work pulls us into the lengthy seven-plus-minute smoke-filled number, while the raw emotion in his voice holds us there. Sulek’s masterful guitar lines blow me away on just about every track.
Memphis musician Victor Wainwright sits in on piano for “Devil Had a Woman,” “ Got To Be On My Way” and “I Want You To Know.” Chris Stephenson, also from Memphis, plays organ on “Feelin’ Bad,” “We Got a Thang Goin’ On,” “Shake It Just a Little Bit” and “ Somebody’s Gotta Go.”
Delta Highway is a great name for this high-energy group because their sound is clearly rooted in traditional blues, but they are definitely on the move and open to new influences. I highly recommend that you jump along for the ride. It’s going to be a blast!
Contact Dariel Bendin at darielb@atmc.net or visit her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/culturejunkie.
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Juke Joint Soul reviews "The Devil Had A Woman"
Remember the raw, gritty sound of the Fabulous Thunderbirds? They are one of the bands that come into mind when trying to find a good comparison to the rough and tumble sound of the Memphis quartet who call themselves Delta Highway. Keeping the blues alive in the blues capital city is tough enough, but to stay true to the traditions that gave birth to the blues and still sound fresh and new is outstanding. There are neither flashy wannabe guitar heroes nor harmonica wizardry that borders on musical masturbation here. Straight ahead, gutbucket blues is what these guys are all about and you won’t be sorry if you are a blues fan of any sort.
From the ruckus shuffles of “23 Hours” and “Got To Be On My Way” to the title track, this disc is rock solid throughout. There are no duds here and no filler here. Even the hidden track, which is a trippy toke down the backwoods of the Mississippi Hill Stomp named for one of the band’s biggest heroes called “Burnside.” The boys on Delta Highway shift easily from nasty blues-rock grooves to the standard shuffle to the hand-clapping of jump. This all rounded up by Brandon Santini (harp, vocals) whose beer-drinking swagger delivery offset by the thick and nasty tone of his harmonica are equally matched in tenacity by guitar man Justin Sulek. The band is rounded out by Tom Louis (bass) and “Steady” Keven Eddy (drums) keeping the beat as sound and steady as a metronome. Guest keyboardists Victor Wainwright (piano) and Chris Stephenson (organ) add some beautiful coloring to the mix, as well.
A few highlights on this set are the slow-burning, aptly-titled “Feelin’ Bad” which Santini takes over with some nasty boiling-over harmonica licks, layered over the wonderful organ of Stephenson’s organ. Running at a little over seven minutes, the track never gets boring and is one of those that should be in your CD player if you ever have a loved one to do right or a loved one do you wrong. Mixing in some rhumba beats, the guys tackle a Howlin’ Wolf-like groove on “Funky Little Baby.” The dancer on a jump blues sounding “Shake It Just A Little Bit” demonstrate how easily these guys are well versed in the blues. On “Baby” and “Shake” the rhythm keep a tightly nit groove, and never stray from the pocket for one moment. Sulek shows off his sense of Delta rhythm and timing on the final named track on the CD called “Goin’ Home.”
These guys have originality on their side even if they are pegged as neo-traditionalists. They wrote every song on this disc. No covers. Rather than calling them revivalists, they are traditionalists pure and simple. They are keeping the old sounds alive while inflecting their own touch. Though the themes presented here are much like the predecessors and influences who introduced them, the arrangements match up nicely to any band’s “contemporary” sets of today. When you see these guys in a live setting, you’ll understand what I’m saying. The old sounds still get people dancing, drinking, and buying CDs. They are definitely still a diamond in the rough, coming up through the ranks of the blues. However, it shouldn’t be too long before you’re juking down the Delta Highway to swipe up their CD.
Posted by Ben the Harpman
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CAPE FEAR BLUES FESTIVAL, Willmington, NC - July 08
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"THE DEVIL HAD A WOMAN" - Album review by Rick Galusha, BLUESWAX
Refreshing New Blues, (07/16/08)
Musical genres are little more than marketing tools to help people piece together what a band or compact disc is probably going to sound like. An indicator, if you like. As the major label systems continues to shrink, more and more artists are looking for a musical home, subsequently more and more acts are falling into the Blues category, not because they are playing anything close to the call-call-response of a 12-bar rotation, but because the Blues audience is big, has money, and is generally less and less discerning. I think its great because the tie that binds is Blues, but the definition is getting wider and wider. Unlike the Rock genre, which has fractured into tens of thousands of micro-niches, the Blues continues to be an embracing genre that clings to the forefathers, but essentially accepts nearly anything that chooses to call itself Blues. As a cocksure John Travolta said in the film Broken Arrow, "Ain't it cool!"
With the release of their new album, The Devil Had a Woman, the Memphis-based band Delta Highway sets aside any debate as to what genre they belong in. This is pure contemporary Blues, firmly rooted in the traditional American art form. Unlike many Roots-Blues bands however, Delta Highway reaches out to the modern listener with fragrant hints of stronger melody lines and more apparent tunesmithing. The band is founded on the relationship of twenty-nine-year-old vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini and thirty-one-year-old guitarist Justin Sulek. Santini and Sulek are backed by industry stalwarts Tom Louis on bass and Keven Eddy on drums. Together the band has the sounds and textures of the Blues greats, but utilize modern aspects, including the modified vocal line "The Devil had a woman, looked a lot like you" in the title track. In addition, this band "pockets-in-the-groove" better than less experienced bands seem to capture on their albums.
Santini's vocals are richer than most and are draped with careful harmonica backing lines for added depth and texture. This band underplays appropriately allowing Santini's harp line, such as on the opening of "Feelin' Bad" to fully introduce the song without being pushed or overshadowed by pesky guitars or overused drums. They embrace the song and use their skills to keep the listener focused as the song's energy builds to a simmering height. There's no hurry and there's no rush. Tasty.
The fourth track on the album, "We Got a Thang Goin' On," starts off with a heavy tilt towards the Rolling Stone's 1978 track "Miss You," including a possibly unintended refrain from Sugar Blue's harmonica lick that the Stones used so effectively in their foray into disco...but make no mistake, Delta Highway's take is seeped and dirty and won't be mistaken for disco in your lifetime. The use of an organ in the song only adds to the energy against which Santini's harp solo sits.
This is a very strong album from a band that has established itself in the Blues-friendly Mecca market of Memphis. Guitarist Sulek can rip 'em off and lay 'em down with tasty aplomb, but without becoming the dominant force in the song, quickly moving back into the background. This is a band that prides itself on delivering "pure Blues." Clearly the band knows their history and their newest album, The Devil Had a Woman, is an excellent vehicle for Blues purists, as well as more open-minded Blues listeners. More traditional radio programmers might spin the fifth track, "Got to Be On My Way," while more freeform jocks might find that "We Got a Thang Goin' On," with its Classic Rock reflection, something their listeners will enjoy.
Rick Galusha is a contributing editor at BluesWax
BluesWax Rating: 8
Reader Rating: 8
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"DELTA HIGHWAY'S ON THE MOVE"
Kansas City Blues News Magazine, May 08
Article and photo by Stacy A. Jeffress
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Blues Revue Magazine- June/ July 2008
The Devil Had A Woman, a strong sophomore release self-release from Memphis' Delta Highway, concentrates on tough rhythms, the meat-and-potatoes songcraft of singer Brandon Santini, and an instrumental apprach that balances Justin Sulek's taut guitar work with Santini's note -heavy harp approach and makes excellent use of keyboardists Chris Stephenson and Victor Wainwright. Evocative slow blues ("Feelin' Bad"), rub against shuffles ("Got To Be On My Way") and the slinky title track. The Latin-flavored "Funky Little Baby" and "We Got A Thang Goin' On," with it's ominous Chicago sound, stand out.
-Reviewed by Tom Hyslop
Bluesbytes Review Featuring Delta Highway
"The Devil Had A Woman" - Album Review by Kyle Deibler - Phoenix Blues Society, Phoenix AZ
The boys from Delta Highway were recently here in Phoenix to play Blues Blast, and they rapidly proved themselves to be a crowd favorite at the festival. They’re touring heavily behind their new record, Devil Had a Woman, and their mix of contemporary and Delta Blues styles appealed to everyone at the festival.
They open up with “23 Hours” and Justin Sulek’s guitar picking sets the tone with just the right amount of distortion for Brandon’s apology to his woman. We’re never clear why she’s mad at Brandon, but out the door she went and so far she hasn’t come back. Like Brandon says, “Well…I’m sorry, Baby…surely didn’t mean to do you no wrong…you’ve been gone for 23 hours, baby….that’s 23 hours too long!” In the end she never comes back and that’s the last of it. “Devil Had a Woman” finds Brandon entranced with a new love. “I never met a woman…quite like you…you treat me so bad…always untrue…the Devil had a woman…looked a lot like you!” This one is obviously bad and Brandon is smart to let her go. Victor Wainwright plays piano on this cut and tears it up in support of Brandon’s decision to move on to a woman who will treat him better. Justin kicks in with some wicked slide guitar and the haunting melody of this song will stay with you for awhile.
Slow mournful tones emanate from Brandon’s harmonica and Chris Stephenson fills in behind Brandon on the organ as we begin to hear the sounds of Brandon’s despair. “I’m feeling bad now baby…Lord, I don’t believe another day is going to change…as long as we’ve begin together now Baby…I sure nuff would have thought you’d change your evil ways”. I don’t know what it is with Brandon’s choice of bad women but they’ve just been tearing him apart. The misery continues with “We Got a Thing Going On”. “Only last night…I sit all alone…I was just waiting for you babe…honey child, I was waiting for you to come back home”. Brandon, the only “thing going on” is in your mind, a little more Jack Daniels and a little less misery is definitely a preferred alternative to being treated like dirt. Move on dude! The rhythm section for Delta Highway, Keven Eddy on drums and Slim Louis on bass provides a solid back beat on “Got a Thing Going On” and deserve their props as well for keeping the back end as tight as it can be on this record.
More piano from Victor and a stirring harp intro from Brandon lighten the mood as the boy finally gets it together and decides to head out on “Got to be on My Way.” Keven’s drumming is extremely tight on this track and matches Brandon’s staccato harp notes as the we hear the truth, “I’m going to leave her baby…honey, I got to be on my way…I ain’t going to have no more…of you treating me this a way!” 'Bout time, Brandon! It finally sounds like Brandon gets it right on “Funky Little Baby.
” “I got a funky little baby…yeah…she’s so sweet and fine…I got a loving little baby…you might see is so nice and kind…she’s the sweetest little woman…that a man ever did find!” Hang on to this one!
The tempo picks up on “Shake It Just a Little Bit”. “I said don’t tell Ma…don’t tell Pa…we’re going down to the old Blues Hall…going to shake it…shake it just a little bit!” One of Delta Highway’s faster numbers, I have visions of swing dancers running through my mind as I listen to the intensity of Justin’s guitar work behind the staccato notes of Brandon’s harp. This song is just a full out train out of control and very much appreciated. So of course the record slows back down as Justin picks the intro to “Somebody’s Got to Go.” Chris’s organ track mirrors the haunting depression of Justin’s guitar as Brandon sings, “You know you done me wrong…I got to find somebody else…leave here woman…honey, take yourself on down that road…you’re going to reap just what you sow!” “Somebody’s Got to Go” is definitely my favorite song on this record and the perfect melting pot of harp, guitar and organ that is indicative of the Delta Highway sound.
“I like the way you work it baby….the way you shake that thing…you know you drive me crazy darling….drive me right near insane!” Brandon’s definitely feeling the new love of his life in “I Want You to Know” and finally happy for a change. Here’s hoping this one works out and she stays awhile since Brandon is definitely motivated to treat her right. Delta Highway closes out Devil Had a Woman with “Going Home.” “Well I told you, baby…once before…if you don’t love me, baby…I’m going out that door…I’m going home!” The boundaries are set and she either gets the message or she doesn’t.
But at least Brandon is clear on what he intends to do, and it’s definitely a step in the right direction even if leads to going back home!
Delta Highway’s sound continues to be an interesting mix of Delta T-Model Ford-style blues with contemporary edges that defies categorization. Brandon, Justin, Slim and Keven continue to spread the Delta Highway gospel one stop at a time and look for them at your favorite Blues bar or festival soon. The hidden track at the end of Devil Had a Woman pays respect to one of their strongest influences, R.L. Burnside, and is indicative of their reverence for the roots that help to shape their music.
When you see the boys, buy them a shot of Jack Daniels --- they’ll be your friends for life and that’s a good thing!
- Kyle Deibler
www.bluesbytes.info
"The Devil Had A Woman" - Album Review by Luca Zaninello - Il Blues, Italy
Memphis and Beale Street will always affect musicians that cross their path. This is what happened to Brandon and Justin. Even though they are originally from North Carolina, they consolidated their success in Memphis, and not only.
In 2003 they formed Delta Highway and the end of that year they moved to Memphis, were they absorbed the sounds and history of the delta region. Their music and shows obtained great reviews which lead them to represent the Memphis Blues Society in the 2006 International Blues Competition by winning the Memphis Blues Society’s Battle of the Blues and to the publication of their first album “Westbound Blues”.
The band’s structure shows a bridge between tradition and modernity as the band’s rhythm section consists of veteran musicians Tom "Slim" Louis (bass) and Keven Eddy (drums). The quality of their music emerges since the first notes played on the CD’s tracks, which starts with two excellent blues songs.
“23 Hours” takes off with a beautiful phrasing work, while Santini carries the listener with the scratching sound of his harp. Justin Sulek keeps the introducing riff going, and then delivers an outstanding sliding “Solo”. The same effect is achieved in the second track, again characterized by the guitar riff and finalized by the perfect intervention of Victor Wainwright at the piano.
The band gets in the groove even more with the slow sound of “ Feelin’ Bad”, full of intense feeling and another “Solo” by Sulek that leaves a mark, continuing with the syncopate rhythms of “Funky Little Baby” where you can immediately catch the fullness and the class of the rhythmic section.
With the versatility of the guitar player, confirmed track after track, is necessary to underline Santini’s “scratchy voice” that is making his solid presence in all the tracks.
In “ We Got A Thang Goin’ On” the fullness of the sound is emphasized by Chris Stephenson’s Hammond playing, and in “ I Want You To Know” where the piano is putting in great musical up beats. Santini demonstrate, in several instances, the influences from where he was guided into the developing his harp playing.
“ Shake It Just A Little Bit” is a joyful and captivating Rock’n’Roll, where is noticeable the influence of John Popper (Santini confess that he was drawn to the harp playing after listening to the “Blues Traveler’s” leader), meanwhile in “Somebody’s Gotta Go” a perfect balance is created between sounds with a bit of “Old Style” and Modern Phrasing.
The same balance is noticed in the final track “Goin’ Home” characterized by a captivating rhythm of what we like to hear, a call to return home, back to the past, where the Blues was born and where we where taught how to face life.
We need to notice that after a few seconds of silence at the end of the same track, starts another track which it seems part of a jam session or an experiment by the quartet, but nevertheless exquisite to the ears since that the tightness demonstrated throughout the entire CD. Delta Highway consolidate their reputation with this work, entirely made by original songs, where is noticed the great passion for the Blues. Their references to the Great Masters like Junior Wells or Little Walter, just to name a few, is noticeable as much as the riffs of Justin Sulek which are performed with taste and precision.
Meanwhile the support of the rhythmic section contributes to give a great consistency to their music. We also put an emphasis on how the presence of the keyboard, Hammond and piano, contributed to the richness of the sound of this four element, confirms this band as one of the most interesting reality in the new Blues world.
- Reviewed by Luca Zaninello
(translation by Tony Negri)
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"The Devil Had A Woman" - Album Review by Gianluca Diana - Mojo Station, Italy
In 2008 it is rare to find bands able to transmit an interesting and fresh Chicago Blues sound, without falling into stale and old clichet.
If the Mannish Boys represent the certainty in the Blues, Delta Highway are the “green age” of the movement.
Everything rolls around frontman Brandon Santini (vocals and harmonica), a powerful leader that finds in guitar player Justin Sulek his alter ego.
There is no standard songs in this cd but 10 self written tracks that vibe with electric energy (Goin' Home; Got To Be On My Way; Devil Had A Woman) and rug cutting slow tracks ( Feelin' Bad). Absolutely awesome.
- Reviewed by Gianluca Diana
"The Devil Had A Woman" - Album Review by Greg Johnson - President, Cascade Blues Association
I first met Brandon Santini about three years ago. I was invited to drop by the Rum Boogie Café in Memphis to hear harpman Billy Gibson. Working at the door was Santini, a bear-sized young man who appeared to be quite soft-spoken. But he had a charisma about him that made you instantly like him. Midway through the show, Gibson asked Santini to join him on stage. When he placed that harp to his mouth, Santini created some of the most enchanting Blues and sold me on his sound for life.
The following year, while working as venue coordinator at Club 152 during the International Blues Challenge, I found on my list of acts the name Delta Highway, representing the Memphis Blues Society. Much to my surprise the band was led by one Brandon Santini, so I knew that this had to be good and highly anticipated their set. But it was much more than I ever expected. Delta Highway was a tight band just dripping with a first-class original Blues sound. If I had been sold on Santini’s harp a year earlier, now I was a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Delta Highway then and there.
The band just clicks naturally. Santini’s harp is countered to perfection by his guitar playing partner Justin Sulek. And the core backbeat of a well-established rhythm section, drummer Kevin Eddy (Mojo Buford Band, Blind Mississippi Morris) and bassist Tom “Slim” Louis (Jason Ricci Band), are plenty enough to even move this writer to the dance floor. It has now been three years since I first heard Santini and two since Delta Highway first came across my radar, and all I can say is that every time I get a chance to listen to these guys, it keeps getting better and better.
Witness their latest CD, “The Devil Had A Woman.” It is all of the sensation of Delta Highway and a bag of chips! The band has created a blend of music that is the preferred recipe for the Blues. The songwriting team of Santini and Sulek is exceptionally strong. There is not a bad number to be found on this disc and bears repeated listenings consistently. They have taken their background from the Piedmont where Santini and Sulek grew up, and tossed it with masterful precision mixing the styles of the Delta and Mississippi Hill Country, creating one of the most exciting forays into modern Blues today. The tracks, such as “23 Hours,” “Somebody’s Gotta Go” and the title tune, as well as just about every other selection on the disc, will be replaying joyously within your mind hours after hearing them. And when you reach the end of the CD’s final listed track, do not turn it off yet. There is a brilliant reading of R.L. Burnside’s “Snake Drive” that comes up as a hidden track. The perfect lagniappe to close a sensational release.
Needless to say, I am a huge fan of Delta Highway and this new CD justifies even greater attention. Highly recommend that this be on your must-buy purchase list of Blues CDs and if they ever play anywhere nearby, do not miss them, jump into your car and drive as far as necessary to reach that show. You will not be disappointed!!
- Reviewed by Greg Johnson
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"The Devil Had A Woman" - Album Review by Przemek Draheim - Blues PL Magazine - Poland
This is one of the strongest albums I’ve heard in quite some time – the sound is punchy, the mix is well balanced and music itself is of the highest order! I listen to a lot of new blues and it is hard to impress me but Delta Highway not only did it, but did it in a beautiful style. Their music sounds very fresh mixing West Coast and Chicago blues sounds with a taste of North Mississippi All-Stars feel, rather unique approach. All musicians in the band are seasoned players and the way they listen to each-other really makes this CD a stand-out, interplay between organ and harmonica is amazing. Speaking of harmonica – Brandon Santini may be young but he knows his craft well. His harp playing is impressive but what I like even better are his strong vocals. For me human’s voice is the most beautiful instrument ever created and Brandon knows how to use his soulful, bluesy voice to make every song shine. Guitar geeks will also be proud of the guitarman in the band, he plays some powerful stuff! All in all, “The Devil Had A Woman” proves that it doesn’t take a big label to release a fantastic CD, what matters is a band full of talent and passion. A five star CD.
- Reviewed by Przemek Draheim
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"WESTBOUND BLUES" - Album review by Mark Harbeke, BLUESWAX
Memphis Blues Again, (03/12/08)
It's appropriate that the cover of Westbound Blues, a release by this Memphis-based foursome, shows an interstate highway pointed, with indication from a road sign, toward Memphis. You're in good hands with this band - a winner of the Memphis Blues Society's Battle of the Blues - that mixes old and new elements to create a fresh sound.
Harp player and frontman Brandon Santini is a true triple threat, writing great songs and wailing with a gritty voice that, as other reviewers have noted, could be a dead ringer for Dr. John - and a proficiency on his instrument that rivals Blues Traveler's John Popper. Guitarist Justin Sulek plays licks, especially on bottleneck, that are always in the pocket and stand front and center when needed, such as on the traditional track "Early In The Morning. And Tom "Slim" Louis on bass and Carlton Temple on the skins provide a great foundation for the Blues.
Whether you're nursing a bottle of J.B. at home on a lonely night or in your car headed for trouble or parts unknown, this disc makes great company. In one word, Santini and Sulek's "Miss Annalise" is "tight." The group's cover of R.L. Burnside's "Jumper On The Line" updates the original's feel, sounding something like Cream's instrumental "Cat's Squirrel." And Santini's rollicking harp on "On The Highway" makes for a great closer.
If, as the cover illustrates, you're traveling to Memphis, give this group a listen. They won't disappoint. However, as their MySpace page tour schedule shows, you'll have to wait until at least October 2008 to see them back 'round those parts. Until then, happy trails.
Mark Harbeke is a contributing editor at BluesWax
BluesWax Rating: 8
Reader Rating: 8
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