By Tom O’Connor

Montreal’s favorite one-man band, blues rock machine, Steve Hill, will release his new album Solo Recordings: Volume 3 in the UK on October 6th, through No Label Records.

Fans from Canada and the world over consider this to be very good news. You should too. If you’re not already familiar with Hill’s act, I feel like I should issue a spoiler alert before saying this–he is a one-man band, playing the drums, guitar, bass and occasionally harmonica, not just all himself, but all at the same time. Far from being a gimmick or a novelty though, his skills and sincere passion manage to generate the sound of an incredibly tight three-piece roots-rock & blues crew.

Steve Hill’s previous two albums won Juno awards and multiple Maple Blues Awards, including “Guitarist of the Year.”

The two opening tracks of the album, “Damned” and “Dangerous,” set the tone – hard thumping, riff-driven rock that sound uncannily like Bad Company or The White Stripes one moment, then twist with hints of Neil Young or AC/DC the next. After these two scorchers, is a stellar mashed-up tribute to Muddy Waters, “Still a Fool & A Rolling Stone” that plays like good ol’ porch-stomping Blues, with just a bit more distortion.

Hill dials it back with some sweet harmonica and acoustic work next on “Slowly Slipping Away” that would sound at home as a bonus track on an After The Gold Rush special edition. “Rhythm All Over” is the next biggest and most insistent riff on the entire album, which is then followed by some of the hottest harmonica playing on the slow-strutting “Smoking Hot Machine.”

Next up is a pair of acoustic tunes that go both dark and light. “Troubled Times” is a seriously picked and studied tune that isn’t designed to make anyone feel better–it is just designed to tell the truth. With a change of pace, the poppin’ fresh, “Emily,” is a light-headed clap-along love song. It feels like we have been given a chance to catch our breath before the Blues and distorted guitar come roaring back with, “Can’t Take It With You.”

Hill then unleashes another mash-up/tribute to his roots with “Rollin’ & Tumblin’ / Stop Breaking Down.” Which is then followed by “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad.” The cover is most often associated with the Grateful Dead, but Hill’s rendition tips his hat to the Woody Guthrie versions as well.

The album closes out strong with “Walking Grave.” It almost sounds like Hill was saving some of his nastiest slide-riffing and ominous lyrics for last, leaving everyone wanting more and knowing they better stay tuned.

Steve Hill is on tour with Wishbone Ash in the UK through the end of the year.

For more information on Steve Hill and Solo Recordings: Volume 3:

Website: http://www.stevehillmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hill.1253 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5c7E6QImmtlRXTsbU4dQWC