| Musical Style: Blues Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Spun Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: Wales Road |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 47:02 |
Show me a live album, and I will show you a true indicator of a bands sound. Perhaps it is due to a live setting allowing a band to be in its natural element or when onstage it can stretch musically in a manner it might not within studio confines, but it would not be out of line to suggest that ‘what you see is what you get’ applies firsthand to live music. Hence, my feeling in regards to Scratch That Dirty Neck, the independently released (on Spun Records) 2020 live album from Rochester, New York based power trio Wales Road. The project of founding member and guitarist/vocalist Tommy Wales rips through a nine-song set at the Montage Music Hall in revealing a sound firmly rooted in blues-rock but with strong indications of classic rock and hard rock to bring to mind Glenn Kaiser Band, Darrell Mansfield and Stevie & The Saints.
Scratch That Dirty Neck represents a true ‘what you see is what you get’ live experience from how Wales Road did not doctor it with any vocal or musical overdubs on the backend. Yes, ‘scars and all’ (quoting the groups press material), but I also find it a refreshing listen in that the group sidesteps many of the temptations that in my opinion hold back live albums: pumped in audience tracks, cutting banter with the audience and failing to include band member introductions and extended jam sessions. In other words, Scratch That Dirty Neck is raw as it gets, a particular I say in a positive sense from how repeat listen reveals a band exhibiting its true colors musically without any of the unnecessary polish all too often defining live albums.
Opener “Hand Me Down Blues” is one of several cuts in which I recognize, having made previous appearance on the groups 2018 compilation release Trees & Pretty Things. Musically, it presents as a gritty blues rocker pointing towards hard rock with broiling licks and chops and heated low-end. A full six minutes, it breaks at the mid-point for several seconds of vocal improvisation ensued by a scorching instrumental run.
“Chapter Nine” ensues but at a truncated two and a half minutes. It brings a charged up demeanor in comparison, rollicking with a boogie flavored ardor in that while not quite as heavy delivers hooks to spare in somewhat similar vein as George Thorogood & the Destroyers. I particularly take to timekeeper Bobby Stahlbrodt’s cowbell covering the final seconds.
“Pieces Of Poetry”, also appearing on Trees & Pretty Things, returns to six-minute territory. It ups heaviness to hard rock territory, as muscular rhythm guitars trade off with those on the affable side to create an emotional seventies effect. Song carries out an additional two minutes than the original from another improvisational vocal and jam session to reveal one of my favorite aspects of live albums: a band diverging from the musical script and going with the flow of the moment.
“Lifejacket” represents lone cut to appear on groups 2021 compilation Character Voices but made its initial showing on 2006 release Snakes, Hisses & Judas Kisses. It defines as a driving hard rocker, translating heavier live with its sinewy riffs and brawny soloing but also allowing Wales to exhibit both sides to his vocal delivery to translate equally well live: smooth, classic tenor style or a metal and hard rock variety and that gritty and raspy lending to a blues rock approach.
Rolling Stones influenced “Cold Photographs” is another live showstopper. Song backs from the heaviness to its predecessor, with guitars on the genteel side but every bit awash in the blues from Steve Rousseau’s adamant bass line. I identify with follow up cut “An Oil Painting” as a similar laid-back blues rocker but highlighting acoustic lacings and lengthy stretch of Wales’ finely honed lead guitar.
On surface “Hopeless, Helpless” impresses as easy going and soulful blues-rock but closer look reveals a nonstop instrumental jam fest. With three of its five minutes instrumental, it gives Wales Road ample opportune to exhibit its live musicianship in the form of heated licks and chops over a scalding bass foundation. This is how live music should be performed and recorded!
Speaking of which seven-minute two-part cut “Have Mercy / Mercy Train” takes things to the next level. “Have Mercy”, attributing to 2002 release Rock ‘N’ Roll Dizzy Man, encompasses first two minutes as an upbeat melodic rocker only to morph into “Mercy Train” as band takes a spontaneous five minute left turn towards impromptu vocalizing with the audience - ‘are you ready to ride that train to glory?’ - ensued by a cool harmonica solo and complementary introduction of band members.
Wales Road pulls-out-all-the-tops in transitioning to closing cut “Cure, Cure, Cure” with its mauling Rez Band style riffing, start and stop time signatures and boisterous momentum. Metal edged guitars carry another lengthy closing instrumental run.
Scratch that Dirty Neck proves successful in portraying Wales Road in a live setting. Again, no vocal or instrumental overdubs - what you see is what you get - to represent the true live recording experience. Far as I can tell the groups entire performance was captured - one of my live album pet peeves is cutting songs in order to reduce running time to fit on a single CD - while it takes every opportunity to extend into jam sessions and improvisational moments not in lien with studio versions to specific tracks. Yes, a bit raw and earthy but in a positive sense from how Scratch That Dirty Neck stands out in a crowded room of overly polished live albums that have been doctored on the backend to fault.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Hand Me Down Blues” (6:04), “Chapter Nine” (2:42), “Pieces of Poetry” (6:34), “Lifejacket” (4:21), “Cold Photographs” (4:15), “An Oil Painting” (4:51), “Hopeless, Helpless” (5:31), “Have Mercy / Mercy Train” (7:07), “Cure, Cure, Cure” (5:37)
Musicians
Tommy Wales - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Harmonica
Steve Rousseau - Bass
Bobby Stahlbrodt - Drums & Cowbell
