Clear Blue Flame
by: Delta Moon
(Jumping Jack Records)
Whether playing the slide-guitar laced smooth groove of “Cool Your Jets” or the moonshine soaked title track, “Clear Blue Flame, “ Delta Moon continue to prove themselves as one of the very best of the newer Southern bands. Tight musical arrangements, heavy on slide guitar, well written songs and a whiskey soaked lead vocal from Tom Gray all add up to major success.
All eleven tracks here are very good, and I especially love the groove on “Life’s a Song” and the heavy bass line that drives the blues of “Blind Spot.”
Delta Moon, which is spearheaded by Tom Gray and Mark Johnson dish up the classic (recorded by Cyndi Lauper) “Money Changes Everything,” which was written by Gray. Another good one is “Lap Dog,” which is built around some funky and infectious slide guitar grooves. Speaking of slide, the set closer “You Done Told Everybody” features some Blind Willie McTell style picking in a true foot stomping blues tradition.
Delta Moon is one fine band. Every song on Clear Blue Flame is a winner. I cannot find a single negative thing to say about this record. So good.
-Michael Buffalo Smith