Review: Hector Anchondo ‘Let Loose Those Chains’

Hector Anchondo

By Martine Ehrenclou

After winning first place in the solo/duo category of the 2020 International Blues Challenge, Hector Anchondo rounded up his acoustic guitars and original favorite songs from the last 20 years and recorded his new acoustic blues and roots album, Let Loose Those Chains out on Vizztone Label Group.

And what a powerful album it is.

With 12 original tracks, featuring Anchondo’s soulful to the bone vocals and versatile guitar chops, Let Loose Those Chains creeps into your spirit with smooth acoustic blues from a true storyteller. This is laid back roots music with top tier musicianship and songwriting chops. Anchondo’s got the goods.

In a similar way that Keb’ Mo’ ushers in breezy, feel good music with compelling stories, Anchondo, with his easy-on the ears vocals and bluesy acoustic guitar picking, asks you to kick back, turn off the phone and other electronic devices and get back to the real stuff. After one listen, you’ll realize that Hector Anchondo is the real deal.

Growing up on a farm in Mississippi, Anchondo picked up the guitar as a teenager and headed to Omaha, Nebraska to start his music career. Living on the road and taking necessary jobs, it wasn’t long before his guitar playing became legendary in Omaha. After placing in the semi-finals in 2015, and the finals in 2016 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Hector Anchondo released his album, Young Guns in 2015 and Roll the Dice in 2017 and is now taking his rightful place in the contemporary blues world.

A musician with more than his fair share of soulfulness, title track “Let Loose Those Chains” kicks off the acoustic blues celebration with a number that harkens back to early roots music. A strong songwriter, Anchondo fuels this tune with groove and tasty acoustic picking. His vocals reach for your heart in the gentlest of ways.

With a slight brush of drums, bass and acoustic guitar, Anchondo sings of loneliness and aloneness in the most relatable ways on “Just Forget It.” Understated with talent to back it up, is Anchondo’s calling card.

Delightful acoustic guitar serves up “Current River,” an up-tempo instrumental and feel-good track with a sunny disposition. Fun blues tune “Candy Shop” finds Anchondo playing acoustic slide and singing about love with a catchy melody.

With songwriting like this, Anchando raises the bar on the craft. Delivered by a musician whose voice is a whiskey sunset, Anchando carries “Vested Angeles” to a heavenly place. A beautiful song with some of his best melodic guitar playing on the record and one you don’t want to miss.

Not unlike Kelly Joe Phelps but with his own sound and style, Hector Anchondo proves once again his songwriting strength with “Momma’s a Hard Man,” about being raised by a single mother. A rootsy blues number that’ll have you leaning in to hear about this momma and the dynamic guitar playing.

Treat yourself to Hector Anchondo’s Let Loose Those Chains and relax a while. You’ll be glad you did.

Listen to “Let Loose Those Chains”