Kent Burnside can thank his famous Grandfather, R.L Burnside for encouraging him to develop his own guitar playing style. And, over a twenty-year period he has become a renowned musician who has mixed Hill Country blues with Delta and Chicago blues.
In his musical carer Burnside has played alongside Jimbo Mathus and Buddy Guy, as well as constant touring with his own band. ‘Hill Country Blood’ is his latest release and finds him in great form.
‘Hill Country Blood’ comprises of eight of Burnside’s original compositions and two remarkable covers, ‘Crawling Kingsnake’ by John Lee Hooker and Junior Kimbrough’s ‘You Better Run’. Both cuts show his ability and confidence in tackling songs by legends of the genre, making his own mark on both.
Opening the album is the raw and brooding ‘Daddy Told Me’, a particular personal solo offering from Burnside detailing his Father’s disapproval with him choosing a career in music. Followed by ‘Hill Country Blood’, Burnside, joined by the full band, quickly proves his career choice was the correct one as was re-locating North to further both career and life.
Burnside’s guitar sound throughout the album is grounded, raw and earthy, never flashy, just grounded and refreshingly honest. Joined by his Uncle, Garry Burnside on Bass guitar they compliment each other perfectly with drummer Jake Best holding them together.
Other stand out performances on the album include the emotional balled, ‘I Go Crazy’, featuring some fine interplay between Burnside’s guitar and Damien Pearson’s harmonica and the soft heartfelt acoustic tribute to Burnside’s Grandfather, ‘I Miss You’ where he shares guitar duties with Garry Burnside.
‘Hill Country Blood’ has deep roots within the blues genre that Burnside acknowledges while effortlessly and courageously pushing in new directions.