Onyx Root
Album Description
MICHAEL POWERS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM, ONYX ROOT, RELEASED ON BARYON RECORDS Onyx Root takes the listener through the different tastes of 60s and 70s soul, blues and psychedelic music seen through the eyes of Michael Powers, whose music career spans over 40 years performing with the Ad Libs, James Cotton and Moonbeam and sharing the stage with icons such as James Brown, Bo Diddley, the Ronettes, Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, and Johnny Winter. Guest appearances on Onyx Root i... More >>
sorry, I just ordered this cd, but I just couldn’t wait to review it. I first heard Michael Powers “Shimmy Up” on xm radio and knew that I had to get some of his recordings. He ranks up there with Watermelon Slim in honesty and sheer energy, and shows exceptional versatility in range of styles he covers. I am giving this a 5 star rating after listening to the sample tracks, and if anything would have to go higher when I actually receive the cd (I am sure it is that good, just listen to the samples yourself). I have heard a few of his songs throughout the years and have never heard one that hasn’t been at the very least impressive (although after sampling through perpetual motion, this might not be my taste). When Michael Powers comes on while I’m driving I have to pull over until the song is over. I can’t wait to get this record, and like I said, this one probably deserves more than five stars. I am anticipating nothing less than a masterpiece. I expect, if what I have heard from it is indicative of the whole, that it will go down as either a classic, or one of those records that the really lucky ones know about. Hopefully it is the preceding.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was pleasantly surprised hearing this. Not the same old 3 chord shuffle standard blues. He mixes it up and adds a few tasty twists to make a new sound. Even threw in a instrumental out of left field that is totally not blues, but adds to the ambience. With so many copycaters and rehashers in blues today it’s nice to hear something a bit different.
Rating: 5 / 5
AIN’T IT A PITY? AIN’T IT A CRYIN’ SHAME? Shame on me, that is. Where have I been? Sad and embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t heard of Michael Powers until his Onyx Root CD came up on an Amazon link. I bought it and listened to it all this weekend. From the first guitar chord to the moment you first hear his voice you know he’s an enormously talented and soulful musician and singer. There are so few young blues players who possess both superior singing AND instrumental chops; Mr. Powers is certainly one of them. You should pick this one up immediately. Wonderfully gifted, he’s one of the best singers and players around. IT’S MY OWN FAULT I’ve been missing him so long. Great cover photo too!
Rating: 4 / 5
The first time I listened to it, I thought, “this is a great record”. Since then I now think Onyx Root is the best blues record I’ve heard in years. A masterwork. Powers is gifted with a made-for-blues voice, and plays guitar “like ringing a bell”. He drives “Successful Son” home with a John Lee Hooker hammer, and the the mood of his Cuban style “Baby Caught a Train” just hangs there like the hottest night in summer. Strong originals share about equal time with innovative covers throughout. The result is a kaleidoscopic radio dial’s worth of musical voices as if this had all been from 1968.
This is a very easy record to just listen through. Powers has tremendous range of expression both with his voice and guitar, and a deep wellspring of musical experience which provides taste and integrity to his freewheeling exploration. Force and delicacy in equal measures throughout – and supported throughout with grace and intelligence by Steve Jordan (drums) and Neil Jason (bass) and notable appearances on piano by Glenn Patscha (“Baby Caught a Train”) and 12 string guitar by Jimi Zhivago (“All Over Town”) this musical whole is one success after another.
Powers is fearless – he clearly puts things into the bluesmans’ trick bag now that weren’t there before – with inclusion of a straightfaced treatment of Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” and the original “Night in Madrid” which pays some compliment to Gabor Szabo – sandwiched between Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on a Wire” and Vera Hall’s “Another Man Done Gone” of all things. But then again, when you can perform the way Powers does, you don’t have to mind all the “rules”. Part of the charm of the overall record is the freshness that results.
Rating: 5 / 5
This cd is a must have . After following Michael for 20 years, I am enjoying Onyx Root with Steve Jordan on such a great collection of tunes. No wonder he has two WC Handy award nominations this year
Rating: 5 / 5