Benjamin Booker
The New Orleans–based bluesman Benjamin Booker created a near-immediate stir before he’d released a thing, stunning audiences at industry showcases and at Lollapalooza with a sound clearly influenced by the greasy garage rock of The White Stripes. A summer jam session with Jack White and an opening performance on White’s tour seemed to be the seal of approval necessary to prove Booker was, in fact, the real deal. This self-titled debut album made with Alabama Shakes’ producer Andrija Tokic is a pure effort that captures the young man in various settings, from the self-explanatory vibe of “Violent Shiver” to the organ-led soul ballad “Slow Coming.” The hard-shuffling power of “Wicked Waters” demonstrates the no-nonsense appeal of music that comes from the gut. The catchy cadences of “Have You Seen My Son?” were part of Booker’s TV debut and made strong impressions on the late-night-TV crowd, who immediately recognized this man’s obvious talents. For anyone who thinks rock ’n’ roll is dead, play them this set. It’s one great rock ’n’ roll album.
“The future is slow coming,” laments Benjamin Booker on the fourth track of his debut album and the first chance for the listener to catch breath after a barrelling, raucous opening. For a young musician so indebted to the past, there’s a hint of irony in those words. Booker’s got the blues, no doubt, but he kicks his heritage influences around, scuzzes them up, marries an indie rock energy and punk ethic to his soul man spirit.
“The future is slow coming,” laments Benjamin Booker on the fourth track of his debut album and the first chance for the listener to catch breath after a barrelling, raucous opening. For a young musician so indebted to the past, there’s a hint of irony in those words. Booker’s got the blues, no doubt, but he kicks his heritage influences around, scuzzes them up, marries an indie rock energy and punk ethic to his soul man spirit.
Album review: Benjamin Booker - Benjamin Booker. "An electrifying introduction to the future of the blues…"
Album review: Benjamin Booker - Benjamin Booker. "An electrifying introduction to the future of the blues…"
The New Orleans-based guitarist and singer pulls hard on the heartstrings with a fiery debut, writes <strong>Tshepo Mokoena</strong>
The New Orleans-based guitarist and singer pulls hard on the heartstrings with a fiery debut, writes <strong>Tshepo Mokoena</strong>