Last Train to Memphis
author: Zoe Morsette
I brought this CD with me on a recent trip out west. Besides the radio, it was the only music we had on the long drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Vegas. It was the ultimate driving music!
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Fast Train to Memphis
author: Steve Peer
I have avoided listening to this album because I knew it deserved my full attention and more than a casual listen as I washed the dishes. I also wanted to listen to it in the car....alone!
My ride along the rocky coast of Maine one sunny day, made a solid sounding album a "great" sounding album. This record is filled with a variety of musical influences which makes it a fun and easy listen, but the story telling lyrics and memorable melodies make it a successful rock'n'roll record. Richard Bloom with the help of The Bramblemen and a supporting cast of other "who's who" from the rock underground, have created a critty country rock record.
Bloom does a loving job paying tribute to Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, Neil Sedaka, Buddy Holly and Pee Wee Herman.
Each song immediatly gets where it needs to go. Bloom does not waste time getting to the vocals and the stories he wants to tell. The musicianship is clever, sparse and extremely dynamic. There are no wanking solos, no overplaying and every note is important. The same can be said for the overall production of the album. It is clean and smart.
Bloom may reference the popular music of the 50's, 60's and 70's, however his concise songwriting style is very modern and has taken into consideration the limited attention span of today's listeners. This is not to suggest that the material is superficial. The opposite is true as Bloom writes more like a book author or screen writer. His songs are short stories, and when strung together create the soundtrack for a yet to be filmed black and white bio pic of a 21st century American drifter.
"Fast Train to Memphis" does include two enhanced video 'nuggets' and supports the fact that this band and production team is more than a good rock'n'roll band with uncanny pop sensibilities.
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