# CD review: Adam Holt – Kind of Blues 2019: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/08/09/cdreviewadamholt-kindof-blues-2019-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2019-08-09T16:43:49+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**The acronym “RIYL” is a fabulous piece of shorthand, a key that unlocks the mystery
of what an artist’s work looks and/or sounds like. **

Alabama’s Adam Holt is “Recommended If You Like” Allen Collins, Derek Trucks, Warren
Haynes, and Gregg Allman. Holt has a powerful, melodic voice, each word clear as
crystal, and his guitar ain’t half-bad either. What he lacks in traditional blues
rhythms and subject matter, he makes up for with smooth style and robust instrumentation.
He also does a great job of making sure he doesn’t outshine his compatriots. Rarely
has Ms. Wetnight heard such perfect balance of each separate musical element on 
a blues CD. Nine original songs plus one cover (Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay”) equal
one marvelous effort.

“The title, _Kind of Blues, _is a reflection of the styles within the sound of the
album,” Holt reveals in his promotional material. “It has a blend of blues, country,
Americana, and rock-and-roll, tied together by contemporary blues licks. The name
is also a nod to _Kind of Blue, _the album made famous by Miles Davis, which I know
very well. I listened to [it] many nights while I worked on my analog recording 
gear, compressors, preamps and my tape machines, which I used to make this record.”

Accompanying Adam (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars) are Owen Finley on bass,
Greg Deluca on drums, Donnie Sundal on organ and piano, Lee Yankie (no typo and 
no joke) on slide guitar, Mark Welborn on pedal steel, and Pierre Robinson on bass.

The following three tracks show how good Adam Holt is, his RIYL influences notwithstanding.

Track 01: “Mr. Morning Drive” – As one might expect, the subject of this song is
a stalwart DJ – his wife’s grandfather! – whose expertise livened up motorists’ 
path to work or play. “Fifty years on the radio, going, going, going – Mr. Morning
Drive.” The groove here is one of anticipation instead of anathema, daring instead
of drudgery. Donnie Sundal’s piano notes fall like drops of sunshine on your consciousness
as Holt’s guitar compels you to rethink your views on commuting. Check out the call
letters for the radio station – “WOOW.” That’s what you’ll say when you hear this.
You’ll also hear Jack Bell’s actual voice recorded on a vintage microphone.

Track 03: “Bobby” – Addiction is in the top ten list of popular subjects for blues
and rock songs. From Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine” to Martika’s “Toy Soldiers,” its perils
have been described far and wide. What makes this ballad notable is the visceral
way in which the addict is described: “Bobby, you’ve lost your way. You’ve gone 
from the rock to the cocaine. Bobby, you’ve lost your head. You pick yourself up
off the floor, and you crawl into a king-sized bed…” The church-style organ at the
beginning is a spot-on introduction to this come-to-Jesus sermon.

Track 08: “The Bourgeoisie” – Ever heard the term “humblebrag?” The narrator of 
this song defines it in a tongue-in-cheek way: “I’ve made my mark on society. Now
all my friends want to be like me, in the lap of luxury. I live a life only they
can dream. They want to know how I do so well. That’s a story that I’ll never tell.
It’s a secret I must keep so with the Joneses I can meet.” Hear how the guitar laughs
as you listen, pointing its fretwork fingers at lesser accomplishments.

If you love Southern rock, you’ll adore Adam Holt’s _Kind of Blues!_

**Styles: Country Blues, Southern Rock, Contemporary Electric and Acoustic Blues
Rock.**

![Image result for Adam Holt – Kind of Blues](https://i0.wp.com/www.paris-move.
com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ADAM-HOLT-southern-rock.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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