GA-20 – Orphans
Independent Release
8 Tracks – 23 Minutes
Founding member of GA-20, Matthew Stubbs, established his reputation as a guitarist playing in Charlie Musselwhite’s band. The Boston musician first formed GA-20 in 2018 as a trio with a determination to bring traditional electric blues back to the forefront of the current music scene. They chose the name in a reference to a 1950’s style Gibson amplifier. They note that traditional country and soul music have experienced a revival in modern times. They seek to accomplish that same movement with the blues. Their albums have been #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts and have been nominated and won awards at the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Blues Blast Music Awards, New England Blues Awards, and have won the Boston Music Award for best Blues Act four times.
First formed in 2018 with their first album, Lonely Soul, released in 2019, the band drew their inspiration from many sources including Hound Dog Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf, Earl Hooker, and others in that immediate genre of blues. The band uses vintage styled instruments and traditional recording techniques to deliver an authentic sound. In 2021, their Alligator released album “Try It…You Might Like It! GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor” featured ten songs by the legendary guitarist.
The trio has varied over the years around Stubbs as the leader. On this album Matthew plays guitar and produced the album. The current trio also consists of Cody Nielsen on vocals, slide guitar and organ and Josh Kiggans on drums who also plays organ on the first track. Orphans is a continuation of their live albums beginning with Volume 1 back in 2020 and a more direct continuation of their more recent album, Live in Loveland, released in 2023.
The album provides versions of classic blues songs with the GA-20’s modern twist beginning with Bily Boy Arnold’s 1957 song “Cryin’ and Pleadin'”. Cody adds a strong vocal presence in the style of Hill Country as begs her “to come back, Baby. I wish you would”. Lazy Lester’s 1959 love song “I Love You, I Need You” lets Cody display a touching, emotional tone in his voice as the band delivers the song in a slower, slightly haunting move. Displaying their range, the band next shifts to James Brown’s 1961 song “I Don’t Mind”, a move into soul but with the song definitely their version.
On Elmore James 1962 “Stranger Blues”, Cody drops in some slide work as the band rocks out and he questions “I wonder how come they treat a poor stranger so and they all should remember, they’ve gotta reap just what they sow”. Sam & Dave’s 1966 soul classic “Hold On, I’m Coming” which was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter was originally banned on some radio stations because of its suggestive title. The band changes the song into a funky instrumental with a very unique guitar sound and with guests Brooks Milgate on organ and Nate Edgar on bass.
Little Walter’s 1959 “My Baby Is Sweeter” is another smooth soulful blues as Cody declares “When I’m lonesome, when I’m blue, my baby knows just what to do”. Ike Turner’s 1956 “Just One More Time” which was recorded with his Kings of Rhythm gets things jumping again. They finish off with a robust Lonnie Mack instrumental “Chicken Pickin'” which was originally released in 1965.
The band demonstrates their commitment to moving their electric blues forward and provides a testament with eight songs that all fall into their mold but demonstrate their capability to branch out in many directions.
