L.A. Beat

Toronto harp master Paul Reddick is back with his latest CD Wishbone.
 The Colin Cripps produced CD is a good one too. I think it is supposed to be a concept album based on a wayward wandering character, so it is a good thing lyrics are included. But the songs stand on their own just fine.

 Vocally Reddick is somewhere between Dr. John and Leonard Cohen, while his guitar is a mix of Robert Johnson, and, yes, ZZ Top. There is some hot guitar playing from Colin Cripps and Kyle Ferguson and Reddick’s raspy vocals are immediately appealing.

 And while he is best known for his harp playing, Reddick is also a fine lyricist. The opening track “Photograph,” is powered by a big, swampy ZZ Top style riff

 The band moves on to a little slide guitar, a little more ZZ Top riffs and Reddick’s Harp makes it’s first appearance.
 There are a lot of ZZ Top ish riffs on the CD and Reddick’s voice sounds like Eric Clapton, while the guitars sounds come straight out of Texas.

“The harp comes the the forefront on “Whiskey Is The Life of a Man, ” which is  also a highlight of the CD because it is most reminiscent of ZZ Top thanks to guitar from Kyle  Ferguson and Peter Belec.

“Devil’s Load,” is another highlight. It has a wicked harp solo and an upbeat country feel to it.

“Ain’t Sentimental,” which has some really great lyrics “I don’t tell stories bout the days gone by, I’ can‘t  remember and I don’t try,” features the harp again.  So does the old school juke joint foot stomper “Take Me Ruby.” “ I Have Lived You Long,”  features backing vocals by Cindy Doire.

Reddick ends an upbeat ride on a slow note with “1,000 Years.”