Simon RushworthReese Wynans And Friends – Sweet Release (Mascot)
He’s a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He’s played alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan in Double Trouble. And after making his name in the Allman Brothers Band he clocked up close to 500 shows with Willie Nelson. And when Reese Wynans first mooted the idea of a debut solo album, he decided Joe Bonamassa was the man to produce it!
So it should come as no surprise that Sweet Release does what it says on the tin. In fact, if soulful blues is your thang then there will be few sweeter in 2019.
Wynans has roped in a star-studded cast of multi-talented collaborators to add that extra bite to Sweet Release. And from the opening bars of the colossal Crossfire (a stunning tribute to Vaughan and the Double Trouble era) it’s clear this record is going to be one red hot rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
Say What’s meandering instrumental intro finally gives way to a brief vocal but it’s the towering juxtaposition of soaring keys and sparky fretwork that makes this Sweet Release’s standout track. Simply sublime.
Wynans has the talent, the tools and the big name associates to create something very special and surely it’s only his busy schedule – rather than a lack of self-belief – that has prevented the peerless tinkler from dipping his toes into solo waters before now.
With his trademark Hammond B3 up front and centre, Sweet Release confirms the 71-year-old as the ultimate master of his craft. The acoustic-led, gospel-tinged seven-minute title track could be one of the finest songs you’ll hear all year – best enjoyed with a glass of single malt, the lights turned down and a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign plastered across the front door.