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Rick Holmstrom, John
"Juke" Logan & Stephen Hodges
Twist-O-Lettz
Mocombo Records
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Twist-O-Lettz (Mocombo Records) is a collaboration
between Rick Holmstrom, John “Juke” Logan, and
Stephen Hodges that can best be described as
“neo-roots/blues.” Holmstrom is the master guitarist
and singer who previously played with William
Clarke, Billy Boy Arnold, Johnny Dyer, and Rod
Piazza’s Mighty Flyers. Logan has played harmonica
for Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Albert Collins, and
countless others, and his harp has graced the
soundtracks of many movies (Crossroads, La Bamba,
Midnight Run) and TV shows (Rosanne and
Home
Improvement). Percussionist Hodges has played with
artists like Tom Waits, Charlie Musselwhite, James
Harman, and John Hammond.
This disc captures the rhythm and feel of those
gritty ’50s and ’60s sides for labels like Chess and Excello. There’s plenty of reverb and echo
throughout. The only instruments are Holmstrom’s
grungy and sometimes spacey guitar, Logan’s
harmonica (and eerie bass harp), and Hodges’
percussion work on apparently anything that would
make a sound. Ten of the songs are originals by
Logan or Holmstrom with the covers coming from Chris
Kenner (a swampy version of “The Land of a Thousand
Dances”), Shy Guy Douglas (a rowdy “Let’s Rock &
Roll”), Jerry McCain (“Turn Yer Damper Down”), and
Elmore James (“Wild About You”).
The original compositions include Holmstrom’s
humorous “If I Should Die,” “Be Home Soon,” the
deliciously funky “I’d LikeTo See,” and the pure
rocker, “Look Me In The Eye.” His guitar work is
versatile and always right on the money. Logan’s
contributions are equally potent, especially “Lone
Wolf,” “We Got Ta’ Rock,” and the menacing closer,
“Ways of Action,” and his harmonica work is
outstanding. All of it would be woefully lacking
without Hodges’ percussion, which keeps your head
bobbing and toe tapping throughout.
Twist-O-Lettz is a fascinating disc……part throwback
to the days of Excello and Chess swamp and grit,
part blues of the future, altogether an engaging and
worthwhile listen. Blues fans should not let this
one pass them by.
--- Graham Clarke
