Sweet Baby James and Rob Eyers. 'Double Voodoo Blues'.
( Black Market Music ).

Double Voodoo Blues! The double? It's Sweet Baby James and Rob Eyers! Voodoo? I've heard these two playing together for some years now and I do believe they have indulged in some underground religious practice that has enabled them to be musically joined at the hip! Blues? It's raw, intimate and mesmerising! Here are 13 original tracks mostly co-written by James and Georgia May. Here are steady rolling hypnotic rhythms inspired by the likes of RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. Here are sounds that will magically transport to some wayward Mississippi Juke Joint! Is voodoo at play here? No way. It is just the sheer power of the music as created by these exceptional musicians. Have a listen to James on slide and electric guitar. Now folks I don't say this sort of thing lightly so believe me when I say this guy is a master of the genre.  Have a listen Rob's drumming. Here is some captivating percussion that shakes, rattles and strikes a rhythm that will have you involuntarily tapping and  slapping. James' vocal style is smooth and articulate with a bite to it. Smooth in that he often uses it as an instrument to harmonise with his playing. Delightful!. Articulate in that you will be able to understand what is being sung!  That's articulate with a snarl and attitude! Just as well because on offer are some lyrics that are honest and biting, telling of down home personal realities.

Have you heard of Junior's place? Kimbrough, too old to travel would throw a  party every Sunday night at his place.  Locals would gather and if you wanted to hear Junior play you had to travel to his rural retreat. Junior's place became legendary. Why do I mention this? Well if we are not careful, the rest of the world out there will find out how good James and Rob are. In the exuberance of their youth and with pending success we might lose them! Oh no! I want Adelaide to be like a Junior's place. Keep James and Rob a secret until age catches up with them. Then too old to travel the blues connoisseurs throughout the world will have to travel to Adelaide to behold and hear our beloved bluesmen.  In the mean time we continue to have them all to ourselves. Have a dose of Double Voodoo Blues ...but keep it quiet!
David Stoeckel
Editor: SA Roots and Blues.