Black Stone Cherry - Me & The Devil Blues
Key Facts
Country: 🇺🇸
Genre: Southern Rock, Blues Rock
Release Date: 22nd August 2019
Record Label: Mascot Records
Album Release Date: 18th October 2019
Band Members
Chris Robertson – Lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
Ben Wells – Rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
Jon Lawhon – Bass guitar, backing vocals
John Fred Young – Drums, percussion, piano, harmonica, backing vocalsBlack Stone Cherry - Me & The Devil Blues
Review
Rating (out of 5🤘): 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Returning to their blues roots for a second time round, one of the most hard working bands in the world, Black Stone Cherry, have returned with an awesome cover of Robert Johnson's Me & The Devil Blues. Kickin' back with that southern soul that the band are known for, sees this blues staple ramped up a notch the Black Stone Cherry way with some 70s style funk and groove thrown in for good measure! Black Stone Cherry have a back for making covers sound like they've written the songs themselves and this one is no different, I think Robert Johnson would be proud.
Musically, the song takes you back to the southern rock of the 70s, heavy and bluesy but not afraid to get damn funky. The band once again take what is traditionally a fairly sombre old school blues song by the legend Robert Johnson and ramp it up to 11, just like they did on 2017's Black To Blues (will have to add Vol. 1 for all future references now). All through the song you can hear the flairs of BSC style lighting up their way through the riffs and rhythms of the song, but never straying too far from the blues format. The 70s funk and soul element that the band have brought into this cover has dragged Satan kicking and screaming into the contemporary and modern look southern rock world. With that in mind it reminds me of some of the songs off of 2018's Family Tree, you can hear where some of those songs have come from when you listen to any of the Black To Blues covers that the band have done. Staying true to their roots and themselves is part of what makes Black Stone Cherry and that raw passion, honesty and energy really comes through in this song, which is what makes it a killer cover in my opinion. My favourite part of this song for once isn't the guitar solo, it's Chris's vocals. Packing it full of the old blues man soul with small melodic runs and phrases demonstrates the effort he goes to to really make the lyrics his own. The rhythm section is tight as always but Jon and John-Fred always have away about making it more than just the metronome and low notes of the song. Both of them really drive the funkiness forward so the guitars can jam out of the top with all the flashy and tasteful licks and riffs. Each instrument gets its moment to shine on this song as well, something you don't see too much of anymore but it was great to hear the whole band really showcasing their skill. No matter where you listen to it, the song gets you moving through it's entirety, you can't help but pull those funky faces either! Overall musically, I know I'm in for a treat when BSC cover a song and this is another fine example of the bands talent and skill.
What I like most about the production of this single is the guitar tones. They have the perfect amount of overdrive that consists of a warm and vintage valve amp feel to them. This is more so in the rhythm guitar, something about it that I cannot fully put my finger on but I just know I love it. Given that the band have given the song a 70s style soul/funk overhaul I also think that this is the focus of the mix, an overall just vintage analogue feel covers the song and compliments the way the band have written the cover. Special attention should be drawn to the organ, it just takes me back to listening to the first funky blues bands that I ever started listening to, it's such an iconic tone and sound, I'm so happy the band included it in the song. The drums have a good heavy punch to them as well, reinforcing the beats to get your head and body moving. Overall, a really well mixed song that really hones in on what it's trying to achieve and achieves it with flying colours in my opinion.
This is another cracking single from a band that aren't strangers to hard honest work. Going back to their roots and showing us in flamboyant yet humble style. I for one cannot wait for the 18th October to hear what they have done with the other songs! Check out Me & The Devil Blues now!
Musically, the song takes you back to the southern rock of the 70s, heavy and bluesy but not afraid to get damn funky. The band once again take what is traditionally a fairly sombre old school blues song by the legend Robert Johnson and ramp it up to 11, just like they did on 2017's Black To Blues (will have to add Vol. 1 for all future references now). All through the song you can hear the flairs of BSC style lighting up their way through the riffs and rhythms of the song, but never straying too far from the blues format. The 70s funk and soul element that the band have brought into this cover has dragged Satan kicking and screaming into the contemporary and modern look southern rock world. With that in mind it reminds me of some of the songs off of 2018's Family Tree, you can hear where some of those songs have come from when you listen to any of the Black To Blues covers that the band have done. Staying true to their roots and themselves is part of what makes Black Stone Cherry and that raw passion, honesty and energy really comes through in this song, which is what makes it a killer cover in my opinion. My favourite part of this song for once isn't the guitar solo, it's Chris's vocals. Packing it full of the old blues man soul with small melodic runs and phrases demonstrates the effort he goes to to really make the lyrics his own. The rhythm section is tight as always but Jon and John-Fred always have away about making it more than just the metronome and low notes of the song. Both of them really drive the funkiness forward so the guitars can jam out of the top with all the flashy and tasteful licks and riffs. Each instrument gets its moment to shine on this song as well, something you don't see too much of anymore but it was great to hear the whole band really showcasing their skill. No matter where you listen to it, the song gets you moving through it's entirety, you can't help but pull those funky faces either! Overall musically, I know I'm in for a treat when BSC cover a song and this is another fine example of the bands talent and skill.
What I like most about the production of this single is the guitar tones. They have the perfect amount of overdrive that consists of a warm and vintage valve amp feel to them. This is more so in the rhythm guitar, something about it that I cannot fully put my finger on but I just know I love it. Given that the band have given the song a 70s style soul/funk overhaul I also think that this is the focus of the mix, an overall just vintage analogue feel covers the song and compliments the way the band have written the cover. Special attention should be drawn to the organ, it just takes me back to listening to the first funky blues bands that I ever started listening to, it's such an iconic tone and sound, I'm so happy the band included it in the song. The drums have a good heavy punch to them as well, reinforcing the beats to get your head and body moving. Overall, a really well mixed song that really hones in on what it's trying to achieve and achieves it with flying colours in my opinion.
This is another cracking single from a band that aren't strangers to hard honest work. Going back to their roots and showing us in flamboyant yet humble style. I for one cannot wait for the 18th October to hear what they have done with the other songs! Check out Me & The Devil Blues now!
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