If you like gritty blues, check out Waterloo based blues/ rock quintet Daddy Longlegs’ new fifth CD “ The Devil’s In The Details.” They are not to be confused with the Brooklyn based blues rock trio of the same name, though both are powered by lots of harp.
The Canadian Daddy Longlegs kicks off their CD with the title track and some hot harp playing and a dirty guitar riff, which comes right out of a dirty old juke joint somewhere along the old Mississippi.
Frontman Daddy Longlegs is the star of this show. His harp and huge voice are front and centre, and I can’t get enough of that rhythm.
Frontman Chris “Junior” Malleck’s sound is reminiscent of not only blues legends like Junior Wells, but contemporary icons like Paul Reddick.
There are a lot of songs about the working poor and drinking and celebrating life.
“Borrowed Time” is a highlight about being poor.
““40 Hour Week” is one of several excellent, George Thorogood tinged songs about drinking.
They slow things down a little bit on “Easy For Me.”
Things get a little more rocking and alcohol soaked on “Get Drunk and Be Someone,” which has a classic rock and roll feel with an unstoppable rhythm.
Malleck plays a beautifully soulful harp solo on the slower “ You Wonder.”
Mike Elliott”s guitar comes to the forefront on “The One,” with a big classic rock riff which wouldn’t be out of place being blasted at extreme volumes on some arena stage back in the ’70s.
They get back to the basics on Colin James style blues rocker “Half Pint” on which the guitar, the harp and the rhythm all come together beautifully.
They end the CD by visiting the Delta on the mournful acoustic blues number ‘Dug My Own Grave.’
Band: Daddy Longlegs
Genre: blues