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Peter Parcek 3 – The Mathematics Of Love

Redstar Entertainment/Vizztone 2009

10 tracks, 46.52 minutes.

www.peterparcekband.com

www.myspace.com/peterparcekband

A new name to me, Peter Parcek has been around for some time, most recently playing guitar with the Singhs, a band that has a strong following in Asia and Europe. The three piece featured here is his main focus at present and the rhythm section of Steve Scully on drums and Mark Hickox on bass are also members of the Singhs. This CD offers a good variety of styles and provides an excellent introduction to Peter’s music.

Born in Connecticut, Peter spent some time in London where he was exposed to many of the British guitarists of the day, notably Peter Green, whose “Showbiz Blues” (a track from the last Fleetwood Mac LP that Green played on, “Then Play On”) opens the CD in great style, with plenty of slide guitar. The next two numbers are both originals: title song “The Mathematics Of Love” is a more acoustic tune, before Peter offers a playful instrumental entitled “Rollin’ With Zah” with plenty of ‘chicken scratch’ guitar.

“Lord, Help The Poor And Needy” comes from the pen of Jessie Mae Hemphill and is played as a slow blues with atmospheric guitar nicely underscored by keyboard loops. Following on thematically is an upbeat instrumental version of Lucinda Williams’ “Get Right With God” which really moves along above propulsive drumming and insistent guitar. “Tears Like Diamonds” is a slow paced number written by Peter, whose rather world weary voice is well suited to the tune and the sad lyrics. Beautifully crafted guitar lines enhance the song which is a low key highlight of an impressive album.

Moving up in pace we then get a nice version of Fred McDowell’s “Kokomo Me Baby”. I particularly liked the drumming here, with some of the rhythm played on the rims! “New Year’s Eve” is a backporch affair written by Peter and David Herwaldt, with acoustic bass (possibly Marty Ballou) and harp. Ronnie Earl guests on this one, a remix of the tune which was originally on an earlier CD. Although uncredited, the harp is well done – is it also Peter?

“Busted”, originally written by Harlan Howard, is a song that we all know from Ray Charles. The familiar tune is taken as an instrumental wrapped in swirling organ tones and muscular guitar. After about five minutes the organ takes over and we realise that it is Al Kooper playing, along with psychedelic guitar which takes us back to ‘space rock’ sounds! It’s an impressive tour de force and one of the highlights of the album. Final tune is a short acoustic “Evolution” penned by Cousin Joe Pleasant, a relaxed finale to the album and right back to the country blues.

Overall an excellent CD which has plenty to offer in a wide variety of styles. Well worth checking out!!

Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK.

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