Winter Sun by Glenn Kaiser Band

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

My heroes have always been hairy Lassie, Chewbacca, Glenn Kaiser! Whether pumping out radical rock with Resurrection Band or singing the blues on his own, Kaiser has always maintained a passionate approach to his music making with an uncompromising message. He's been a man who's lived out his faith and consequently the music he makes is always packed with the grittier realities of life - perfect fodder for the blues. 'Winter Sun' sees him adopting a power trio format supported by Roy Montroy on bass and drummer Ed Bialach for some intense blues rock. As witnessed at various festival appearances this summer, this is intense stuff! There are plenty of highlights from the walking blues vibe of "Choked Up" through the blistering guitar rock of "My Backyard" as he describes, with brutal honesty, his life in Chicago. The title track has a solo blues imtro before the band kick in and the whole thing explodes whilst at the other extreme "Three Below Zero" is classic foot stomping Kaiser acoustic blues. "In The Soul Of A Man" demonstrates something it's easy to overlook - Kaiser is a killer guitar player! Of course, no blues album in this powerful trio format would be complete without a rendition of Blind Willie Johnson's "Nobody's Fault But Mine", and this one spits and burns. If you're a blues fan, this is essential listening. Put them on a stage next to any blues act in the world and Kaiser & Co would easily hold their own.