Damian Knapp – Decay In Our Cities
Fester Presley Records
14 songs time – 59:45
Singer-songwriter-guitarist Damian Knapp from Warren, Ohio breathes life into the blues with his energy and creativity. The perspective he takes is looking at slices of his everyday “work-a-day Johnnie” life and it’s many trials and tribulations. Working with a basic rhythm section, occasional harmonica players and background singer Damian’s over layered guitars including his awesome slide guitar skills create a full and exuberant sound. Damian wrote and/or co-wrote the twelve original songs found here. The two cover songs are given their due.
The title song “Decay In Our Cities” employs some of “Rollin’ And Tumblin'” for it’s music. This song along with much here is blues pertaining to the human condition. Political discord is the subject of “Nobody Wants To Budge”. Acoustic guitars power the upbeat sermon on peace and equality “The Answer”. “Ron’s Garage” is the perfect hanging out song. The listener is regaled with the pleasures of chillin’ with your buds against a hearty rockin’ attack.
Slide guitar and Jake Friel’s blazing harmonica battle it out on “Swimming Toward The Drain”, a song that expresses a sentiment similar to that of Freddie King’s “Going Down Slow”. “$3.99” laments the high cost living. The wickedly nervous slide guitar slashes through the ether. “Appreciate” is a positive life lesson set against sprightly acoustic twelve string and occasional electric.
The boisterous and nicely noisy “Late Night Rock And Roll Sideshow” paints an enticing picture of a kick ass good time. Pixie’s harmonica is added to this slide extravaganza. More first class slide and standard guitar on Roosevelt Skyes’s “Some Right, Some Wrong”. Damian picks up his twelve string acoustic again for the pensive “Change In Mind”. Peter Knapp delivers spoken word that includes a bit of “potty mouth” against a John Lee Hooker boogie beat on “Scary Dude”.
Watch out it’s a man on a mission “On My Way To Work”, best get outta his way pronto Tonto. The lengthy acoustic instrumental “Song For Jim” includes some Rolling Stones style “Street Fighting Man” sweeping guitar. This guy has acoustic playing covered along with his electric guitar skills. He reinvents “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, breathing new life into it with his zesty vocal and acoustic slide.
Current concerns and travails are set to solid traditional blues influences. This brother is truly shot full of blues. Nothing dull or borrowed here, just a real blues feel.
