Sister Hazel’s FIRE
Album Reviews by Preshias Harris
Kentucky Headhunter’s LIVE AT THE RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR
(Alligator Records)
Sister Hazel came up with a cool concept: a series of EPs that collectively will form a compilation series that they are calling “Elements.” The latest EP, the third volume in the series, is titled “Fire” and follows previous releases “Water” and “Wind.” “Fire” offers six tracks – all good – plus a seventh bonus track, “Elements III (Growing Up”) following a tradition set with the previous EP’s bonus tracks. Hailing from the Gainesville, Florida, area, the five-piece band formed in 1993 and the personnel lineup has remained pretty much unchanged since then. Sister Hazel’s music is kinda hard to categorize. Alternative rock, yes; but also country… maybe altcountry and southern rock. Whatever you call it, it’s original and just plain good.
It seems impossible, but it’s true: The Kentucky Headhunters just keep getting better with every new album. These guys have been my buds for decades from way back in our FFA days in my home state of Kentucky. They have always embodied a unique mix of hard-nosed Country, Southern Rock, blues and good old rock n‘ roll. The best way to enjoy the Headhunters has always been live as they let rip on stage. A new release from Alligator finds them doin’ their stuff at the Ramblin’ Man Fair, in Maidstone, England.
The title track is a gentle ballad that recognizes the daily private struggles that we all go through. “You’ve been through the fire / And I know you’re tired / But don’t give up yet / Just keep holding on / There’s life just beyond…” The attitude of encouragement and inspiration is common to much of Sister Hazel’s music, but is applied with a light hand that never feels preachy.
This was (unbelievably) a stop on their first-ever European tour during a career lasting 30+ years. It seems that vocalist/guitarist Richard Young has always been an ‘uneasy flier’ and couldn’t face a transatlantic flight. Apparently, his son John Fred – drummer with the rock band Black Stone Cherry – was finally able to talk him into the tour that took place in 2016. Around 25,000 fans roar their approval as the Headhunters tear through a high-energy set that includes Headhunter originals, their unique versions of blues rockers, and a cover version of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” joined by Black Stone Cherry. The excitement is contagious: this is an album you’ll want to play LOUD!
“Here With You” is an uptempo love song about living in the moment with the one you love. It’s a song that could seriously impact the Country Airplay chart – if a few influential programmers at Country Radio were to pick this cut as an ‘add’ to their playlist. Hint!
Also included: three recently rediscovered studio tracks from the legendary “Meet Me In Bluesland” sessions featuring late blues piano icon Johnnie Johnson (known for his piano work on Chuck Berry’s biggest hits).
The bonus track, “Elements III” is barely over a minute in length but is an upbeat witty rocker that leaves the listener with a smile. “I gotta learn another, learn another, learn another way / Don’t know what I’m doin’ but I do it anyway.”
Speaking about The Ramblin’ Man Fair set, Richard Young said, “We didn’t even know we were being recorded. I found out later the festival folks recorded our whole set. After hearing it, I knew it captured us exactly as we really are, and I knew we had to release it.” The audio quality is remarkable and captures the essence of the Headhunters’ rowdy but musically spot-on live mayhem. The remarkable performance from 2016 (plus the bonus cuts with Johnny Johnson) was released by Alligator Records on January 11, 2019.
Every album they have released has charted, either on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and/or the Country or Indie album charts. (1997’s “…Somewhere More Familiar” achieved RIAA Platinum status.) Both “Wind” and “Water” made sizable impacts on both Country and Indie EP charts. Combining top-tier songwriting with strong musicianship, “Fire” should be on your playlist and, like the two earlier EPs, is set to make an impact on the charts. “Fire” drops February 8. Pre-order the EP via www.sisterhazel.com and you get the instant grat track “Here With You” (also available on streaming services now). Check out their website for upcoming tour dates.
A Personal note: I think I need to add that the album is killer, and it a shame I wasn’t visiting my nephew in Maidstone when this was recorded !! :( My loss for sure! BTW, looks like Richard has overcome his flying phobia. The Kentucky Headhunters are already working on plans for their next tour of the U.K., Europe and across the USA and Canada. Album info and more at https://www.alligator.com/albums/Live-AtThe-Ramblin-Man-Fair/
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