Gaslight Street – Blue Skies For Fools (2009)

1. Skin Deep
2. Constantly Runnin'
3. 98 Blues
4. Need My Rest
5. Stone Rollin'
6. The Last Show
7. Black And Blue Salvia
8. Sweet Disguise
9. Blue Skies For Fools

By: Nick Boeka
In an age where technology allows musicians to rely heavily on post-production, vocal shifting and “studio-magic,” it’s a great relief to pop in Gaslight Street’s freshman release, Blue Skies for Fools, and hear the honest sounds of rich guitar, scratchy vocals and notable improvisation. These nuances lay the foundation for a bright future, and are spread throughout the record, offering a glimpse into the heart and soul of this group from Charleston, SC. Fans of early Black Crowes will find much to connect with in this young band with such potential.

With heavy emphasis on vintage keys sound, Jason Stokes uses organ and Wurlitzer to provide the melodic backbone for Brooks DuBose and Frank Nelson to compliment with drums and fat-bottomed bass, respectively. Rounding out the group’s sound is singer-guitarist Campbell Brown, whose unique vocals and emotional stories, like first track “Skin Deep,” offer something missing in much of today’s music.

From start to finish there is a progression of intensity, culminating with “Black & Blue Salvia,” which has a really great hook throughout the song that double times in the verses. One can imagine this song opening up to a nice long exploratory jam in concert. The final and title track brings it back home with a nod to the classic Southern rock sound, featuring an acoustic setup and catchy chord changes. All they need is to attack the road hard, spread their music to the masses and there’s no way that Gaslight Street could ever run out fuel.

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