Review BY Halina Wegner
When Ian Siegal and Johnny Mastro met in a New Orleans studio, they brought the best of British and American blues together with Easy Tiger, a live-recorded album that feels as potent and unpredictable as a Southern summer storm. Siegal, whose whiskey-soaked voice and masterful guitar work have earned him accolades across the globe, merges seamlessly with Mastro’s unrelenting harmonica drive to create a sound that’s refreshingly gritty and fiercely authentic.The album kicks off with “Four on the Floor,” a tight, energetic opener that sets the tone for a record that’s equal parts intense and soulful.
“Balling the Jack” follows, and Siegal’s vocals roll effortlessly with Mastro’s harmonica, each musician spurring the other on in a display of raw blues mastery. The slower “Baby You Can Get Your Gun” gives a peek into Siegal’s soulful, reflective side, while “No Mercy” showcases Mastro’s legendary harmonica skills, pushing the song to a fever pitch with gritty fervor.Tracks like “Dog Won’t Hurt” and “Tall and Tight” offer rhythmic, swaggering beats that encapsulate the rugged charm of New Orleans blues. “Miss Your Cadillac” stands out as a mournful, powerful ode to love and loss, grounded by Siegal’s emotive voice and Mastro’s piercing harmonica.
The duo is fearless in “Quick to Gun,” a gritty number that epitomizes their electrifying synergy.As the album progresses, songs like “Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Wineheaded” bring a vintage, rough-and-tumble feel, while “Who’re in Church” layers Siegal’s introspective lyrics with Mastro’s masterful harmonica play, giving the song a haunting, soulful edge.
The final track, “Oedipuss,” leaves a lasting impression with its raw energy, wrapping up the album with a taste of the unfiltered, rebellious spirit that Siegal and Mastro embody.Both musicians bring their storied careers to this record: Siegal’s signature blend of blues and Americana, honed over two decades on the festival circuit, and Mastro’s punchy, driving style, cultivated with his band on the New Orleans scene.
Together, they’ve created an album that’s unapologetically raw and drenched in soul, a powerful reminder of what blues music sounds like when stripped to its bare essentials.Easy Tiger isn’t just an album—it’s a raucous, immersive experience that leaves you breathless. For fans of real, rough-hewn blues, this record is a must-listen, proving that when Siegal and Mastro get together, the result is nothing short of electrifying.
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