What A Refreshing Authentic Soul!
by JesseSinger
Visiting from Los Angleles, I stumble into a bar one night for one last, whatever. I get a chance to catch three songs by this guy. He blew me away! I'm a musician and also somewhat of an LA snob (lol), but this guy hit every mark. He is truly a gem.
As a guitar player, I was initially impressed with his chops, but more his style which was raw emotion. He pours himself into every note folks. It's the way legends do it.
I never heard of Chris before, but I'm so glad I stumbled into the Rodeo bar. I truly love the album and have been listening to it on the way to my 9-5 every day this week.
Chris is truly a talent worthy of anyones music collection. I really can't wait to see him live again.
Chris, come to LA!
The season for the Chris Bergson Band is now!
by Contango
At its simplest, Chris Bergson Band's latest album, "Fall Changes," picks up where the excellent "Another Day" left off. Echoes ranging from the Allman Brothers to Skip James; tight composition and deft chord changes; soulful vocals, sizzling guitar, a solid rhythm secton - all the elements that define the band shine through. But "Fall Changes" perfects them. The title track alone is a masterpiece: a testament to Bergson's unique ability to blend his jazz training and diverse musical influences into a four-minute gem of a song.
That's not the only one, however, as he resurrects Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece" in one of three covers on the album. That a single artist can cover Dylan, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix - in a breathtaking version "Are You Experienced" - is testament to the Bergon Band's musical abilities.
Those abilities rise to new heights on "Fall Changes," with a full horn section and ultrawarm production (it was recorded in Levon Helm's Woodstock studio). The Hammond organ on the title track of "Another Day" is still there, this time to inject carnival lift to "Gowanus Heights" and soul to "Drown In My Own Tears," rather than to impart solemnity. Fresh touches include grinding rock'n roll anthems - "Float Your Mind" and "The Engine"- as well as plaintive backing vocals from Olabelle's Amy Helm on the Delta Blues hymn, "Rain Beatin' Down," where Bergson's picking and slide work set an infectious pace that a footfall snare - and the listener's snapping fingers - can't fail to follow.
The only thing better than listening to this album is seeing the band perform it live - and if you haven't, seek a show out immediately. The bottom line is that "Fall Changes" provides the full musical color that was foreshadowed on "Another Day." The season for the Chris Bergson Band is now!
