“If Somebody Told Me…”, by Delta Wires is, I feel one of the best new Blues albums of the year so far, engaging and powerful from the start, every song a mind blowing winner.
Recognized as San Francisco’s Blues Stalwarts, Delta Wires has made a mark on the country’s music scene that is as remarkably enduring and as powerful as the talent they possess.
The Delta Wires’ potent combination of tight and highly-polished horns, fierce bluesy guitar and Pinata’s crying, emotional harp make for a powerful fusion, blending the heartbeat of the Delta with electric sophistication and a full-blooded brass sound.
Their new album, If Somebody Told Me… is monumental, including several originals, and a few nods to the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson…and even a Count Basie lagniappe.
Delta Wires started out as an Anthology of Blues Music that harpist Ernie Pinata presented as an undergraduate project for credit at The California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. The program covered the regional migration of music from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago. It began with field hollers, the music of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and Son House, and ended up with the music recorded at Chess Records in Chicago: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf and many others. After the program, the band went on to play professionally, performing with some of the greats that we studied: Lowell Fulson, Bo Diddley, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and many others.
In Review: “If Somebody Told Me…”, by Delta Wires is, I feel one of the best new Blues albums of the year so far, engaging and powerful from the start, every song a mind blowing winner. Starting with “Can’t Win for Loosing” with is horn drivin opening and classic blues style, a house rocker, clean lyrics and guitar riffs that pulls you in. Followed by the title track “If Somebody Told Me…”, which is a slow hand blues tempo that feels like a dark whiskey on the rocks and a smoke-filled gin joint, real man’s blues for sure.
Tracks of note – “I Pity the Fool”, is a love lost and letting her know how she did you wrong song, “Sloppy Drunk”, “Hand Out of My Pocket” which has a strong instrumental opening, proof of amazing talent and keen sense of pure rhythm and “Dimples”, Man oh so good!
The final track is a fitting end and a winning closer, with horns blaring and drums swinging, “Blues in Hoss Flat” is smooth and sweet, also, its foundation is a Jazz / Swing Era sound, it’s a crowd pleaser for sure, makes you really want to dance.
The Delta Wires have shared the stage with many noted artists including Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Bo Diddley, The Neville Bros, Dr. John, The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, John Mayall, Boz Scaggs, Bad Company and The James Gang.
The best way to experience the Delta Wires is undoubtedly live. Onstage, the ‘Wires always deliver an incandescent experience. But if you can’t catch them live, purchase If Somebody Told Me… and hold onto your hats. You’re in for a wild, wild ride!
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