Friday, March 9, 2012

The Hushes (Cold River Blues) Review


“Cold River Blues” is an extremely well-crafted collection of songs from a very talented foursome. Consisting of Cal Williams Jr. (Guitar & Vocals), Emily Davis (Guitar & Vocals), Kory Horwood (Double Bass & Vocals) & Ben Timbers (Banjo & Vocals) The Hushes combine to create a CD that can only be described as a fabulous cocktail blending alt. country with blues, folk & gospel. Cal & Emily have written the bulk of the songs but I get the feeling that even this was a collaboration within the group, that’s how it comes across anyway. Emily has a stunning vocal range which at times can be very raunchy & sexy. Cal’s vocal contribution is equally valuable and all four provide backing vocals. Each song on this CD tells a story such as on Honey Child-“…don’t want to leave you, you know I’m bound to go”, “…southbound train..”, “…I ain’t comin’ back no more…” or Emily’s lyric on Conjure Woman Blues-“…I will watch you while you sleep…watch you burn, burn, burn baby burn.”
On Six White Horses we even get a short double bass solo from Kory while Emily implores the listener to “…bring me whiskey, bring me gin…” Altogether this CD is a musical achievement of importance to the Australian music scene. Imagine four balladeers travelling from town to town bringing fine musical entertainment to each whistle-stop on the way….you’ve got it…The Hushes.
Ken “Nothin’ But The Blues” Hughes
“Blues from The Bay”

1 comment:

  1. Ken Hughes and I have been sharing a blues music radio show on BayFM for the last 8 years. The last few years we have called it "Blues from The Bay"

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