Eddie Kold Band — “Blues In My Heart” — L+R Records
Although the music of the blues is deeply rooted in the American South, it has always had an emotional appeal that reaches far beyond its humble origins.
That appeal has attracted musicians and fans worldwide for decades. Witness the broad appeal of American blues musicians in other countries. And check out the contestants in the annual International Blues Challenge for artists from Croatia, France, Australia, Finland, Korea, Belgium and many more. Blues music is its own international language.
All of this is just a long-winded introduction to the Eddie Kold Band, a blues combo from Cologne, Germany, and their new album, “Blues in My Heart.”
Kold (real name Jorg Fennekold) is a guitarist who cut his blues teeth in Chicago in the early 1980s, and performed at the 1991 Chicago Blues Festival with Zora Young. He’s also played the Montreal Jazz Fest, Winnipeg Blues Fest, and Amsterdam Blues Fest.
Now he fronts his band in Germany, featuring vocalist Larry “Doc” Watkins, a Meadowview, Va., transplant for the past 20 years. His bandmates here include Klaus Brunschede, bass; Christian Wübben, drums, and Lukas Diehl, keyboards.
Kold’s guitar work is a highlight throughout. It’s soulful and supple, with influences drawn from jazz, blues and rock, adding a freshness to traditional blues styles. Kold flexes his jazz-influenced muscles on “Backpain” a breezy, bluesy instrumental excursion.
Watkins’ vocals have a deep blue feeling — gritty and soulful, soaring on “Burnin’ Outta Control,” with an effervescent guitar solo from Kold. The album, the band’s third, is mostly originals, but features an inventive upbeat cover of the classic “Further on Up the Road” with guests L.P. Davenport, Honeydew Melon Davenport on vocals and Tom Holland on piano. The title track opens with a bluesy intro to Watkins’ soulful vocal turn, with a tough guitar solo that combine to make this track an album highlight. “Last Two Dollars” brings back Honeydew Melon for a sensuous, soulful outing. (A complete list of tracks and credits follows this post.)
This is a thoroughly enjoyable album from a versatile guitar slinger who’s learned his art well. Kold’s guitar work sparkles throughout, never intrusive, always complimentary behind the vocals. Enjoy it with a fine schnapps!
About the L+R record label: Important blues recordings were released on the L+R label, including the recordings of the well-known American Folk Blues Festival tours from 1962 to 1985, recordings with Louisiana Red, but also the 14-part LP series Living Country Blues USA, which Axel Küstner produced together with Ziggy Christmann in 1980.
Here’s “Around Three or Four” from the album:
And here’s a fine version of “Before You Accuse Me” by the band from a previous album, “Chicago Alley Blues”
Tracklist and personnel:
- Around Three or Four – 4:26
- Backpain – 3:21
- Burnin’ Outta Control – 4:50
- Further on Up the Road – 3:05
- Girls – 3:39
- Blues in My Heart – 4:49
- I’ve Got to Find a Woman – 4:41
- Last Two Dollars – 4:10
- Lipstick on Your Bra – 4:22
- Lovesick Blues – 5:09
- My Whole World Shook – 3:43
- Student – 4:40
- Three Way Combination – 3:59
Eddie Kold (guitar)
Larry ‘Doc’ Watkins (vocals)
Klaus Brunschede (bass)
Christian Wübben (drums)
Lukas Diehl (piano, keyboards)
Special Guests:
L.P. Davenport (vocals – #4)
Honeydew Melon Davenport (vocals – #8, backing vocals – #4)
Tom Holland (guitar – #4,8)
Terho Keskitapio (guitar solo – #6)
Trina Williams (backing vocals – #6,9)
Blues Roadhouse 