The Skinny reviewed by Denny Barker

The Skinny

Ian Siegal & The Youngest Sons

Nugene Records

www.nugenerecords.com

11 Tracks/55:09

Here's the skinny, the lowdown, on British bluesman Ian Siegal's sixth studio album that is somewhat of a departure from the norm. Recorded in North Mississippi, without his regular band, Siegal collaborates with The Youngest Sons who are, literally, the youngest sons of local blues legends, Garry Burnside on bass (son of RL Burnside),Robert Kimbrough on guitar (son of David Kimbrough Jr), Rodd Bland on drums (son of Bobby Blue Bland), and Cody Dickinson producer (son of Jim Dickinson).

The CD opens with the Siegal penned title track "The Skinny", an easy going tune featuring Siegal on slide, guest Alvin Youngblood Hart on second guitar, and The Youngest Sons. The vocal is raw, the lyrics clever, with Siegal on top of his game. Makes me want to dust off the Conrad and fire up the Kustom. Following is Tony Joe White's very cool "Stud Spider", a funky blues tune with some intense vocal, nice wah wah guitar from Siegal, and a firey solo from Robert Kimbrough. If I had any doubts about this CD, they are rapidly disappearing.

Moving on  "Hound Dog In The Manger", co-written with British guitarist Sam Hare, is a dark, brooding, sinister tune with more good guitar work from Robert Kimbrough. "Picnic Jam" is a sweet, simple, easy going tune, with some great slide guitar, that has the feel of a lazy, sunny afternoon in the park. Sounds good to me as my outdoor thermometer shows 19 degrees.

Another highlight is "Moonshine Minnie", a nice, funky, groovy tune that is well done with both Siegal and Kimbrough on guitar. Next is Gary Burnside's "Garry's Nite Out", a country blues tune featuring Garry on guitar with Ian adding some great slide. The closer, "Hopper", is a tribute to the easy rider actor Dennis Hopper, featuring Siegal on lead guitar, a nice way to bring it to a close. "The Skinny" is a good album that is raw, intense and at times just plain

fun. Siegal and the Youngest Sons have given a strong performance that is entertaining and  enjoyable to listen too. If you like something a little out of the norm, this is it, "The Skinny" by Ian Siegal and The Youngest Sons. Good stuff! 

Reviewed by Denny Barker