DIESEL – PROJECT BLUES
Everyone’s favourite RSL haunt Mark Lizotte has records coming out his ears, and this latest recording extravaganza sees him indulge in the ultimate expression of what he perceives is the blues, in all its forms. A noble pursuit, and not an easy one to do convincingly – for to play the blues, one must live the blues. It’s not clear how much blues Lizotte has or is living, but there is heart and soul in these recordings. The band he has assembled (featuring Injectors-era sax whiz Bernie Bremond, and various members of the family Lizotte) are a powerhouse of road-side rockin’ pneumonia, and Lizotte has produced the record himself with a zinging confidence. They’re all live performances; Diesel’s Hendrixy hooks and belting vocals leaping from muse to muse, like the trombone-throated Buddy Guy extravaganza First Time I Met The Blues, to the weirdly Marvin Gaye-esque interpretation of Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong. He even has a go at the Aerosmith Classic Sweet Emotion, infusing it with a lilting Bruce Cockburn swagger. This is all quality stuff, performance-wise – if indeed we’ve heard all of this before, at least it’s an unashamed celebration of form and favour.
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