Peter Karp – “Alabama Town” – cd – Rose Cottage Records

Album Review

Album:

Artist:

Peter Karp

Record Label:

Rose Cottage Records

Date:

05/02/2017

Reviewed by:

Markus Hagner

Peter Karp was influenced by the good ole 60’ies tunes when he was living these years in Southern Alabama. Specially the blues conquered his heart. Off course as the neighbor states were Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, he got his inspirations also by the regional and country-sounds. His love for rock dates back when he was raised in New Jersey.

“Alabama Town” features again stunning cooperations with his good friend Mick Taylor, the legendary ex Stones axe-man and on top with Todd Wolfe, Garth Hudson (The Band) Mike Latrell (Keyboarder for Popa Chubby & Neal Black) and last not least among many other brilliant artists his son James Karp. This fortifies his great appreciation as global musico.

Peter dedicates “Alabama Town” in loving memory to his African American step mom Ruth Turner!

“Alabama” is the highlight title and cd-opener. It electrifies from the first chords by the grooves the Memphis & Stax-Records style! Peter’s voice is seductively rockin’. He lets his resonator guitar do the talking in love to the king of the blues. Hot Hammond organ solos spice-up the gumbo (Louisiana cuisine stew) towards the end. “Till You Get Home” is the highway-inspired rollin’ & tumblin’ consecutive blues-rocker with a boogie notch, specially by the fervid piano strolls. By “That’s How I like” strutting guitars the longhorn state style meet the fervid chimes of Beale Street, specially by the solos on Mississippi saxophone. “I’M Not Giving Up” is a sensitive, enchanting blues-ballad with a gospel-attitude by the ladies background-choir and Peter’s rousing, ardent chant. Mister Taylor proves by his solo, why he’s the best guitarist of The Wheelin’ Tongues forever. A Starry Skies Theme. “Her And My Blues” is swampy the Louisiana vein with a cajun-country influence. By closed eyes you can dream of a hot adventure in the Mississippi delta. Peter manifests again why he is a tycoon on resonator six-string. The drum-stomps manifest the flow of the river. By “The Prophet” maestro Karp was in the mood for a jazzy-vaudeville blues continuing the legacy of the sounds of Storyville in the Crescent-City featuring hooky mandolin-plays and harmonica-blows. “Kiss The Bride” is teasing with its countryesque melodies the Tennessee & Nashville tradition. “Nobody Knowes” as ballad is ever so stunnin’ by the soulful harmonies and the meditative chant of PK as storyteller. “I Walk Alone” features finest, thrilling fingerpicking guitar-extravagance and Peter’s voice is ever so bewitching. The harmonica solo intensifies the atmosphere. “Beautiful Girl” concludes as unplugged, warm-blooded acoustical blues for evolving your day brightly and shiny.

All songs feature a distinctive, song-appropriated sound produced by Peter & multi-grammy sound-award-winner Dae Bennett. Music enthusiasts listen to this opus, you will be immediately fascinated.

Peter Karp – A Outstanding Songwriter

“Alabama Town” – A Beautiful 5 Star Mélange Of Blues-, Roots- & Country-Rock Melodies.

Line-up:

Peter Karp (electric Resonator guitar, guitars, piano, vocals)
Mick Taylor (guitar – #5,6)
Garth Hudson (accordion, wisdom)
James Karp (guitar – #7)
Todd Wolfe (guitar)
Paul Carbonara (guitar)
John Zarra (mandolin)
Jim Ehinger (Hammond B3 organ, piano)
Mike Latrell (Hammond B3 organ, piano)
Albert Weisman (Hammond B3 organ)Daniel Pagdon (bass)
Niles Terrat (bass)
Dennis Gruenling (harmonica)
Mike Catapano (drums)
Dae Bennett (drums, percussion, background vocals)
Paul ‘Hernandez’ Unsworth (drums)
Leanne Westover (duett – #8)
Joanie Coleman (background vocals)
Kesha Love (background vocals)
Toni Summer (background vocals)
Elliot (background vocals)