PhillyCheeze’s Rock & Blues Evaluations: #669 : Altered 5 Blues Band

I used to be very excited to listen to there was a brand new launch on the way in which from
Milwaukee’s hardest working bluesmen Altered 5 Blues Band. This seventh
and newest launch Testifyin’ completely cooks. With 5 all-original
tracks of smokin’ blues, this EP is hitting the scene with fairly an impression. With
Jeff Taylor on lead vocals, Jeff Schroedl on guitar, Mark
Solveson on bass, Steve Huebler on keys, and Alan Arber on
drums, A5BB performs the blues with feeling and conviction. The EP was
produced, combined and mastered by Grammy award-winner Tom Hambridge. To
sweeten the pot, the super-talented, multi-award-winning Jason Ricci additionally
seems with harp in hand on three of the 5 tracks.

 Testifyin’ kicks off with “Don’t Inform Me I
Can’t” delivered with a cool rhythm topped with a smokin’ guitar efficiency
from Schroedl and a candy horn accompaniment from Max Abrams on saxophone and Julio Diaz on trumpet. They
roll into “Whiskey Bought Me Married” a smoldering blues observe that sounds nice sung
by Taylor’s husky voice. Ricci completely wails on the harmonica and
sounds wonderful. “Model New Bone” is an impressive observe which appears to start
within the Delta and wrap up in Chicago. With Ricci within the combine, this observe is
a real winner. They gradual it right down to a mild sway to sing about laborious instances
in “I’ve Bought Scars to Show It”. Schroedl performs each be aware with an
emotional method. Testifyin’ wraps up in a vigorous optimistic mild with “You Can’t
Win (If it Ain’t Inside)”. It’s upbeat, uplifting, and a sheer delight to
hear.

 Each music is a keeper on Altered 5 Blues Band’s Testifyin’.
It’s a file that I carry on heavy-rotation for a protracted whereas. 

—