Buckshot Blues

Guitarist Steve Kovalcheck has been playing music with Jeff Hamilton for years, and it sounds like it! This trio (including bassist Jon Hamar) ends each other's thoughts and punctuates each other's phrases. They are truly a TRIO cut from the cloth of the famous Poll Winners trio. They come out swingin' with "Happy Train" which has Hamilton guiding the trio into musical perfection. "What's New" gets a nice arrangement from the trio. Upon listening to these first two tunes, I was immediately struck by the sound of Jeff's drums (and cymbals.) Hamilton's new Mapex drums are singing loud and clear within this trio, and his "Hammertone" Sabian's are laying down a comfortable cushion for everyone to rest upon. Of course instruments don't make any sound alone, so it's actually Hamilton's amazing touch that is on brilliant display. We are used to hearing Jeff in larger ensembles where the sound of the drums and cymbals might not be so evident. But with this recording, and within this trio, Hamilton's sound and touch is almost another member of the band. Speaking of sound, listen to the sound of the brushes on "The Prairie's Edge" and "You're My Everything." "Buckshot Blues," "Crab Lantern Blues," and "Bright Child" take us deep into down-home swing. But listen to how Hamilton guides the music creating incredible arrangements on the spot. The clarity of Hamilton ideas comes to the forefront on "Fast Eddie," as do Hamar's basslines. "Bright Child" is a killer shuffle from the entire trio, and some great exchanges from Hamilton. The light "Skylark" grooves hard, and Hamilton and Hamar show us a great bass and drum hook-up. This is a fantastic trio recording, and Jeff Hamilton has never sounded better.