Brody Buster – Redemption
Self-Release – 2025
9 tracks; 36 minutes
Brody Buster was a child prodigy, started playing harmonica at age seven and featured on several national TV programs. I recall seeing him play solo between acts at The Bradenton Blues Festival and occasionally wondered what had happened to that young man. It seems that, unfortunately, Brody became addicted to drugs and it is eight years since his last recording. Redemption is an apt title as Brody lays out his struggle to get straight with some very personal and pointed songs. Brody wrote seven and does two covers, plays harmonica, lead guitar and vocals, accompanied by Jackie Myers on keys, Terry Dry on bass, Ian Pond on drums; Howard Mahan adds slide guitar, producer Jacque Garoutte plays bass, rhythm guitar and adds background vocals, as does guest Danielle Nicole on two songs.
Brody’s harp blasts out before he tells us about his issues in “Can You Hear Me”, swirling keys and strident guitar behind his impassioned voice. A familiar title for George Thorogood fans, but this is a blues that discusses “When you are Born To Be Bad how hard it is to be good”, things deteriorating until even “the blues wouldn’t let me in”. “Deadwood Shuffle” has exciting, full throttle harp work before “Working For The Devil”, a good piece of R n’R with both slide and rumbling lead guitar. No doubt when you hit such a low point you too would “Wish These Blues Would Stop”, as does Brody in a jagged rhythm with hints of rumba and lyrics about how hard it is to get back up that slope to regain a normal life. The fast-paced shuffle “Protection From Your Affection” bounds along with the organ prominent before Brody plays a nicely poised guitar solo. Brody’s originals conclude with “The Color Blue”, a slow tune that sounds a little like Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”; the tune opens with mournful harp before Brody’s slightly hoarse vocal, aided by Danielle’s harmonies.
The two covers are from relatively obscure artists, both from Kansas City, as is Brody. Eugene Smiley Sr moved to Chicago after school and had some success with vocal group The Visitors before moving to Kansas City where he played at one time with Brody. Eugene’s song “This Time I Got The Blues” does what the title suggests and actually suits Brody’s voice rather well. The second cover is “The Wants”, written by Billy ‘Beale’ Woods, another Kansas City man, and a more uptempo tune to close proceedings.
It is always good to see someone overcome life’s obstacles and return to doing what they do best, so welcome back to the blues scene, Brody Buster.
