Tom Buenger — “Blues From Caucasia” — Self-Release
Tom Buenger’s second album, “Blues From Caucasia,” has been around for a few months, and it’s well past time that I should bring this delightful effort to your attention.
Buenger is a singer / songwriter based in the Seattle, Wash., area, who performs solo, or with a few other talented musicians, all well-suited to the direction of his music. His original style is mined from basic blues and gospel, but goes wherever his rootsy musical spirit takes him, often into rock, soul and Americana. This session expands on his debut album, “Suburban Gospel.”
Buenger’s musical companions here are guitarists Teresa Russell from Los Angeles and
Rafael Tranquilino from Mexico City, plus guitarist Chris Eger, bassist Richard Williams and drummer Cyrus Zerbe. Even though there’s a taste here and there of lively electric guitar, it seems fair to call this primarily an acoustic album, which gives it a more intimate feeling and a down-home, old-timey touch.
The album opens with the spirited light-blues “Above The Sun,” with a hand-clapping gospel feel punctuated by Buenger’s floating harp lines. “Start a Fire” is a torchy love song that showcases Buenger’s multi-instrumental skills on piano, acoustic guitar and harp. plus a soulful vocal turn.
“That Ain’t Right,” is a tough blues with tougher vocals and a percussive backbeat behind Buenger’s vivid acoustic guitar. “What You Gonna Do” is a little soulful philosophy about life’s indifference, as “the world don’t give a damn about your big master plan…. so “when it comes right down to livin’, do what you’re gonna do.”
“Mean Things” is an easy-riding blues that adds a light electric touch in a gentle counterpoint as the music makes his demons sing and dance. “Get With Me” is two-step plea to a woman he’s got his eye on, flavored with a little honky-tonk kazoo. The vocal showcase, “Don’t Stop” draws on lovely vocal harmonies with a hopeful message: “Don’t stop till you reach the other side.”
“Feel Alright” is a soulful love ballad with a touch of classic R&B at its heart. “Fight No More” finds Buenger in an intricate tapestry of delicate harp, acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies with himself in a terrific call-and-response style.
Two solo acoustic blues tracks close it all out: The first is Buenger’s own finger-picking creation, “Talk To Me,” with a sweetly sensitive vocal. The final cut is the classic “Soul Of A Man,” by Blind Willie Johnson, which Buenger beautifully shapes into a vocal duet and an elegant phrasing of music that is the soul of a man.
This is an excellent album, filled with finely tuned original music, rooted in the spirit of the finest blues traditions. You should enjoy it soon.
“That Ain’t Right” from the album:
Tracklist and credits:
Above the Sun – 2:43
Recorded and Mixed at Plumtree Studios,
Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 90% — Vocals, Harmonica
Chris Eger: 5% — Electric Guitar, Bass
Richard Williams: 5% — Drums
Start a Fire – 5:31
Mixed & Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 80% — Vocals, Piano, Acoustic
Guitar, Harmonica
Teresa Russell: 15% — Electric Guitar
Cyrus Zerbe: 5% — Drums
That Ain’t Right – 3:12
Recorded and Mixed at Plumtree Studios
Tom Buenger: 90% — Acoustic Guitar,
Harmonica, Vocals
Richard Williams: 10% — Drums, Bass
What You Gonna Do – 4:43
Mixed & Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 85% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Rafael Tranquilino: 15% — Electric Guitar
Mean Things – 3:21
Recorded and Mixed at Plumtree Studios
Tom Buenger: 90% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Chris Eger: 5% — Bass, Electric Guitar
Richard Williams: 5% — Drums
Get With Me – 3:46
Recorded and Mixed at Plumtree Studios
Tom Buenger: 80% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals,
Kazoo
Chris Eger: 10% — Electric Guitar, Bass
Richard Williams: 10% — Drums
Don’t Stop – 3:30
Mixed and Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 100% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
Feel Alright – 3:49
Mixed and Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 60% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Rafael Tranquilino: 40% — Drums, Bass, Electric
Guitar
Fight No More – 2:45
Mixed and Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
Tom Buenger: 100% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Talk To Me – 3:58
Recorded and Mixed at Plumtree Studios
Tom Buenger: 100% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Soul of a Man – 3:26
Mixed and Mastered by Rafael Tranquilino
“Blind” Willie Johnson: 100%; Columbia
Tom Buenger: 0% — Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
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