Search - Cletus Black :: Black Ice

Pure Americana

Charles Szabla | Cleveland OH | 07/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Cletus Black's best effort to date. The songwriting is literary in feel and the music is pure Americana. The songs are each tinged with a different musical influence. Rock and blues serve as a base for the tunes with threads of country, soul, and cajun weaving their way throughout this album.The opening track "Mumblin' To Myself" is an excellent midtempo blues number with great harmonica work, understated use of slide guitar, and a hilarious amalgamation of slurred words.The single "BYO Blues" is another foray into blues territory complete with the moanful wailing of Jennifer Lee accompanying Cletus' emphatic pleas for the simple pleasures of graveyards and strawberry wine."Let It Go" careens away at a fast pace with a solid acoustic guitar romp and some fine background vocals accenting Cletus' growl.Track #6 is "Creole Witch" and is one of the reasons why folks who are unfamiliar with Cletus' background would swear that he comes from the swampy backwoods of Louisiana. It leaves a film of gritty realism and vivid imagery after a listen."Black Ice" finishes up with the ballad "Holding My Own" which may be the most autobiographical piece on the album. It expresses the troubles encountered in day-to-day life most of us can appreciate but more strongly states the perseverence and guts to rise above broken hearts, shattered dreams, and missed opportunities.As a radio DJ, there aren't many albums I would actually pay money to own. Cletus Black's "Black Ice" is an exception."