Review of “if somebody told me…” by Mladen Loncar – SoundGuardian.com
by on February 17, 2023 in Uncategorized

Translated from Croatian:

Doug Deutsch, through his media company Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, surprised me with the latest studio album “If Somebody Told Me…”, which was released on January 24 by Mud Slide Records, and behind everything is the great seven-piece band Delta Wires.

Music by Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and Son House from the Mississippi Delta, followed by Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf and many others, who recorded for Chess Records in Chicago. They studied and studied the music of Lowell Fulson, Bo Diddley, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and many other musicians. All this led them to the IBC finals in Memphis in 2008, as representatives of the Sacramento Blues Society. All this led Delta Wires to perform with many famous musicians, such as: Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Bo Diddley, The Neville Bros, Dr. John, The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, John Mayall, Boz Scaggs, Bad Company, The James Gang, and of course the story doesn’t end there.

Delta Wires are a seven-member band, formed in Oakland more than 35 years ago during college thanks to singer and harpist Ernie Pinato. The name of the album is 100% justified and shows, but also proves, how the band has progressed and continued its “maturation of West Coast blues”, it is this style of blues that differs from all others. Why? Because it is much more sophisticated; brass sections give it fullness and attractiveness. Although the band is called Delta Wires, their music is the right thing for relaxation and fun, but you should also know that this is California blues, which means that we will hear music that carries the influences of rock and modern jazz. Just that combination of mouthpiece and woodwind sounds extremely inspired and good.

Their presentation form with its down-to-earthness, its sincere openness to all available presentation possibilities, with a tremendous emphasis on the harmonica, literally captures the attention of all those who will listen to this album. In other words, it is true that their joint concert and presentation is a blues expression, presented in a very interesting, sumptuous and unique way.

Delta Wires literally excel during their concert performances, the whole band bases its performance on the notable interactions of the musicians, which melt into an extremely effective presentation. For the end result, we get extremely effective themes that simply have to delight us, so it is with this album, which sounds like a “live” album, but it is not! Namely, all this atmosphere and mood was achieved in the studio.

Recommendation

If you are a fan of bands like Room Full of Blues or the kind of blues that Paul Butterfield Band so sincerely offered us, I believe that you will listen to the last album after “If Somebody Told Me…”, impressive Delta Wires, with real joy and satisfaction.

With their album “If Somebody Told Me…”, the band Delta Wires presents us with a powerful, high-energy musical experience. With its approach and seriousness, the band constantly proves what an excellent composition, as well as the album, this is about. Get your copy as soon as possible and simply enjoy!

You can find out more at: www.deltawires.com

The DELTA WIRES 1549 East Shore Drive Alameda, CA 94501 All rights reserved ©1971-2023 Band Office: 510-882-8742