David Landon - I Like It Too Much

Whip Records

Time-58:41

www.davidlandon.com

This latest CD by the San Francisco Bay Area based guitarist, singer and songwriter could of just of easily been called The Guitar And Hammond Organ Sessions. There are many other things to recommend it, but the guitar work of David, along with the Hammond skills of Tony Stead and Melvin Seals are one of the shining highlights. David Landon achieved regional success in at the clubs and festivals of Paris, France, before returning to the states in hopes of attaining greater success. Lenny Williams, Kenny Neal, Melvin Seals and Earl Thomas are among the many notable musicians he has produced, performed or collaborated with over the years. As well as the top-of-the-line rhythm section, he has also enlisted a fine horn section. If that isn’t enough, he also wrote, produced, arranged and mastered the record.

The band starts off with a high energy Texas blues shuffle instrumental “Bone Up!”, featuring the leader’s arsenal of guitar chops and a blistering organ solo by Tony Stead. Two more instrumentals are included to once again feature the skills of this talented ensemble. Next up the funky “Maureen” suffers from vocals that are a bit too “white bread”, but that is remedied elsewhere throughout the CD. “I Can’t Slow Down” shows the perfect interaction of guitar, vocals, organ, horns and rhythm section. Alvon Johnson shares vocal and guitar duties on the feel good “That’s What Friends Are For”. David squeezes every bit of emotion of his solos on “Our Last Goodbye” by measuring every note and knowing when to show restraint. He does much the same on the slow, smoldering blues of “I’m So Tired”. Over indulging in life’s pleasures is the subject of the title track, and point is driven home by an all-out instrumental attack.

Although the publicity hand-out refers to his music as blues-rock, I find it sticking closer to straight ahead blues, the occasional wah-wah solo notwithstanding. The guitar solos are variations are tradition styles as applied to a modern take on the blues. And that Hammond organ goodness is all over this record. Not just as backing...these guys can rip off some dangerous runs. The overall sound is tight and professional, without sounding slick. No revelations here, but a pleasing display by musicians that know the ins-and-outs of the blues.