JPT SCARE BAND (Acid Blues Is The White Man's Burden)
Wow! Within a short period of time, it is once again time to write another review about a new JPT SCARE BAND album. Well, it is not the case that I like to complain about this situation. Since I personally have a strong preference for Kansas City's power trio, I am pleased about the fact that the band is currently so busy. In this case, JPT SCARE BAND merged their energies with the new promising indie rock label, Ripple Music, who already re-released Poobah's first record 'Let Me In'. Actually, 'Acid Blues Is The White Man's Burden' is not a new studio album, but a carefully compiled collection of seven unreleased songs dating to the period from 1974 to 2004 with a main focus on the mid-1970's and early-2000's. It is therefore only logical that there is a difference between the older tunes and the newer ones. Everyone who knows the two last JPT SCARE BAND albums 'Jamm Vapour' and 'Rumdum Daddy' knows that their sound has become calmer and less psychedelic without affecting their passion for extensive jams and rampant guitar action.
Superficially, the opening track 'Long Day' sounds suspiciously radio-friendly, but just listen to Terry Swope's significant guitar sound and personal playing style, and it it obvious that JPT SCARE BAND is not the next Foreigner or REO Speedwagon. 'Not My Fault' is infected with a Beatles virus and has some similarities to the soul-driven rock of Detroit's Scott Morgan (The Rationals, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, Powertrane, The Hydromatics, The Solution). This is followed by a magnificent cover version of 'Death Letter 2001', a classic delta blues song written by the legendary Son House. Admittedly, it is arranged differently (that's why they added 2001 to the title) and the result is absolutely fantastic. The beginning is very close to the original song, but quite quickly it becomes a riff-laden heavy blues rocker, reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin. The following four songs songs stick with the blues, whereby 'Stone House Blues', recorded in 1975, again breaks into a Led Zeppelin-esque jam.
It is always fascinating to listen to the interplay between drummer Jeff Littrell, bassist Paul Grigsby, and guitarist/vocalist Terry Swope, with a clear emphasis on Swope's breathtaking sonic excursions. 'Amy's Blue Day' is another spontaneous psychedelic free-form jam, which also dates from the mid-1970's. Once again JPT SCARE BAND demonstrate their ability for creating fully improvised songs that are nonetheless well-structured. The title-track is definitely one of the heaviest tracks on this compilation, which is primarily due to Paul Grigsby's massive bass sound. His thick tone lays the foundation for this powerful blues rock song, where Terry Swope proves again his individual vocal style. As resume I can say that 'Acid Blues Is The White Man's Burden' is a great addition to your 1970's heavy blues rock collection but also a good start-up for everyone, who has never heard before of the band. A further appeal is created with the tasteful packaging, available as 2LP set or CD which also includes informative liner notes.
(KK)