Blue Junction

22:17 Blue Junction

Personel: Ole Frimer (guit./voc.), Uffe Steen (guit.), Morten Brauner (bass), Esben Bach (dr.). Producer: The Blue Junction. Live recording: Kasper Vorbeck. Mixed by: Peter Thorup, at Feedback Recording, Aarhus, Denmark. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tracks 1. If you only could forgive me (O. Frimer) 4:38 Play 2. Get out of my life woman (A. Toussaint) 5:08 3. Tired man (A. Collins) 4:52 4. Done foolin' (O. Frimer) 3:56 Play 5. Black widow (O. Frimer) 4:45 6. Messin' with the kid (Junior Wells) 4:51 Play 7. Workin' too much (O. Frimer) 7:49 8. Junction shuffle (Brauner/Bach/Steen/Frimer) 8:20 Play -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Booklet Liner notes by Danish journalist Peter Widmer, and a poetic note by the Danish blues legend Peter Thorup. Real Blues Magazine No. 25 - Salt Springs, British Columbia I'm always amazed at the impact blues music has on foreign cultures, proof of the power possessed by this magic music and also proof of the vibrancy of African American culture in general. The fans in Japan, Germany, Brazil and Sweden may not know what the words mean, but they can sure pick up on the spirit and soul of the music. There've been many bands over the years mimicing American blues, soul and R&B and some are actually quite good proof that blues is indeed a universal language. Blue Junction is the top Danish blues and it is a veteran outfit fronted by Ole Frimer, a fine guitarist and convincing vocalist who obviously must be fluent in English as there is no trace of Flemish accent. They're based in Aarhus Denmark and from the liner notes I get that this really was a blues all-star session with basist Morten Brauner hand-picking the best blues musicians in the country: Frimer, Uffe Steen (guitar), Esben Bach (drums) and Brauner himself. Blue Junction first came into being in 1994 as the Aarhus All Stars and all the members profess to being big Texas blues fans and it shows. Albert Collins has impacted Ole Frimer in a big way and his playing invokes images of Albert immediatly. I'm not big on mimics or imitators, but Ole is totally tasteful and his "Workin' Too Much" shows off his pickin' in a big way. It'll move you in a big way. Mr. Collins would get a big kick out of Ole's heart felt tribute to him. Uffe Steen is an excellent rhythm man and when he and Frimer do their dual lead work you can't help but be impressed. The 8 minute CD closing "Junction Shuffle" gives everyone a chance to wail and you'd think you were listening to a top-flight US based blues band so there's no excuse for cultural chauvinism. These guys are definitely amongst the Top Five European bands and they can hold their own with even the best from North America. For a "live" recording the sound and performances are exceptional. I totally enjoyed this CD from start to finish, and a lot of North American contemporary acts would be wise to give this CD a listen. 4 bottles for an honest and exciting set from a very talented quartet. Andy Grigg, July 2001