ARTIST: Michael Powers
TITLE: Onyx Root
LABEL: Baryon Records
GENRE: Blues
TIME: 49:42 min
SIZE: 73,0 MB
RIP DATE: Feb-07-2005
RELEASE DATE: Aug-10-2004
Track List:
01. Successful Son 04:11
02. Can't Quit You Baby 03:07
03. Baby's Got A Train 04:11
04. She's About A Mover 03:34
05. Shock 03:21
06. Country Boy 04:24
07. Bird On A Wire 03:37
08. Psychotic Reaction 03:40
09. Night In Madrid 03:55
10. Another Man Done 03:27
11. Graffiti 04:48
12. All Over Town 04:19
13. Shimmy Up 03:08
Release Notes:
Onyx Root takes the listener through the different
tastes of 60s and 70s soul, blues and psychedelic
music seen through the eyes of Michael Powers, whose
music career spans over 40 years performing with the
Ad Libs, James Cotton and Moonbeam and sharing the
stage with icons such as James Brown, Bo Diddley,
the Ronettes, Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, and Johnny
Winter.
Guest appearances on Onyx Root include drummer Steve
Jordan (Keith Richards, Blues Brothers, Sheryl
Crow), bassist Neil Jason (Paul McCartney, Roxy
Music, Cyndi Lauper) and members of Columbia
recording artist Ollabelle û Amy Helm (vocals), Jimi
Zhivago (keyboards & guitars), Fiona McBain (vocals)
and Glen Patscha (piano).
The album features six originals, four of which
Powers co-composed with either Michael Rachinsky,
Steve Jordan or Luigi Franconi. "Took 20 years to be
discovered overnight" sings Powers in Successful Son
(Michael Powers), the opening track of the album.
Two instrumentals Night in Madrid (Michael
Powers/Luigi Franconi) and All Over Town (Michael
Powers) are a perfect complement to Shimmy Up
(Michael Powers/Steve Jordan) and Shock (Michael
Powers/Michael Rachinsky).
The remaining seven songs are covers rearranged with
Powers unique gritty edge. Powers reworked Country
Boy (Muddy Waters) into an almost entirely new song.
From the touching blues of CanÆt Quit You Baby
(Willie Dixon) to the soul/pop of SheÆs About A
Mover (Sir Douglas) and the searing guitar work on
the psychedelic Psychotic Reaction (Count Five),
Powers navigates each genre as if he owns it.
With such a diverse collection of songs and
influences, Onyx Root takes the listener on an
incredible ride. Michael PowersÆ story is none other
than one man paying his dues to play the blues.
Blues Revue August/September 2004
This one's sure to make a few Top 10 lists this
year.
Living Blues July/August 2004
Powers singing and playing are gritty and
convincing, marking Onyx Root as one of the yearÆs
must-hear debuts.