Billy D and the Hoodoos’ "Something’s Wrong" is good Voodoo

From the first note I was enthralled with “Something’s Wrong”, the latest record from Billy D and the Hoodoos (Creative and Dreams). It’s been a long while since I was able to get excited about a “bluzy rock” artist, but this was a great surprise! I have to thank Rose at C.D.M.N. for lots of great surprises, lately.

Right off the bat I heard the influence of blues masters like Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. “Oh, wow, this is real!” A bit of the Stones might have slipped into the second song, “Blue,” and by the time I got to “Why’d you Do It?” John Hiatt had joined the party, but it doesn’t stop. Duane Eddy and Tom Waits seem to have gotten in, somehow.

Each song here has it’s own interesting sounds and twists that draw from vintage tones to make things sound free and exciting again. Smooth and smokey deep grooves and blossoming tones in songs like “Love Makes You Cry” (one of my favorites) even go so far to throw aside the 1-4-5 chords of traditional blues and rock.

Billy D (Desmond) roots and blues style is the perfect fit for his tongue-in-cheek lyrics that have a way of cutting right to the quick. He keeps the subjects simple, and calls ’em as he sees ’em. “There’s something wrong with you, but don’t worry, somethin’s wrong with me, too.” Desmonds songs can make you laugh while you cry just like Mama’s stories did when you were a toddler.

Discovered by none other than Fred Cannon and produced by an absolute genius, “Something’s Wrong” is perfectly recorded, mixed and mastered. There is depth and space around the instruments and vocals, which complements Billy D’s songs wonderfully. The guitar nuts will really like the great reverse delays and beautiful reverbs on the guitars and whatever was done to record that kick drum should be a closely guarded secret – it’s perfect! ( send secret to bret @ …)

Soon after moving to Portland,OR, in 2010 (just before the release of “Somethin’s Wrong”) Billy D & the Hoodoos were awarded “Best New Act” by the Cascade Blues Association & that same weekend opened for the great Robert Cray at The University of Missouri . In early 2012 one of Billy’s tunes “Bye Now”from his new acoustic CD “Billy D. Hoodoo Man” was licensed by the new hit TV series”Hart of Dixie”.
http://www.creativeanddreams.com/billy-d-and-the-hoodoos#.UH9xF8XA-So

As you know, nobody get’s a 10, but I’m awfully tempted. I’m going to rate “Something’s Wrong” at 9.8 taking 2 tenths for not being long enough. Every single song on this record is a winner! Put this one in your collection, today.

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