By Robert Rheubottom
Blues Guitar Unleashed founder Griff Hamlin has released his debut album, I’ll Drink To That with his new group Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band. Featuring 10 original songs, Griff’s fiery guitar work, and powerful horn arrangements by Nashville veteran Tim Akers, the album offers a powerful set of modern blues rock to traditional blues performed by world-class musicians.
Griff Hamlin built a loyal fan following over the years and gained a reputation both as an exceptional guitar player and as a well-respected music teacher since becoming a pro musician back in 1992. Hamlin recently took a lengthy sabbatical away from recording and touring, but has returned to the scene with a true quality album.
Already possessing solid credentials as a lead guitarist and instructor, Hamlin stretches further to establish himself as a singer, as well as a songwriter on this new release. Recorded at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, I’ll Drink To That features well-crafted songs with lyrics and music written by Hamlin.
Since his return, Hamlin and company have been performing in clubs and festivals in Southern California and around the country. Most of the songs have been forged in a live bar setting. The tracks present top notch musicianship, production and arrangements – each branded with Hamlin’s soulful vocals and dazzling guitar work.
The set opens with the powerful blues-rocker “Almost Level to the Ground.” The upbeat breakup lament is driven by Hamlin’s insistent rhythm along with a smooth walking bass from longtime associate Mark Smith and a solid backbeat from drummer Chris Atchley. The four-piece horn section, which includes Hamlin’s wife Laura on baritone sax, adds plenty of punch as Hamlin’s vocals soulfully express the challenges of carrying on after a separation. Ty Bailie supplies a fierce organ solo after the middle-eight and Hamlin blazes on the second guitar solo.
Hamlin freewheels through some Chicago blues on the next track “Same to You.” The multi-talented performer displays the same knack for phrasing on lead vocals as he does on guitar in this ode to unrequited love and delivers a fiery and impassioned solo over a series of key changes, leading to the song’s rave-up conclusion.
An unfaithful woman is the subject matter as Hamlin slows things down on the traditional 12-bar blues “Someone.” The Southern California native emotes with passion while letting his inner B.B. King shine through on the solo, which starts clean and spacious, and soars to a frenzied climax before moving back to the middle-eight.
“Nothing Better” is a catchy riff-rocker, which features Hamlin flexing his muscle on slide guitar. The song plays tribute to the musician’s love of performing and vaguely reminded me of the Huey Lewis and the News single “Heart of Rock & Roll.”
A few of the songs on I’ll Drink To That were originally recorded back in 2001 on The Griff Hamlin Band’s self-titled debut album and have been rearranged to accommodate the new four-piece horn section. Among these tracks is “Louisiana Holiday,” which fuses a bit of funk with New Orleans blues to produce a rollicking Cajun romp.
I’ll Drink To That marks a solid return for Hamlin and presents an impressive showcase for his numerous talents. It will definitely satisfy his existing fan base and should win him some new ones as well. If you love a mixed blend of traditional and modern blues-rock. served up with a popping horn section and blistering guitar, this one’s for you.
Griff Hamline Online
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