Larry Kurtz & The Law Breakers – Take A Ride
Self-Release – 2025
15 tracks; 61 minutes
Based in Ontario, Canada, Larry Kurtz and his band The Law Breakers have played at many of the big festivals in Canada, Larry is also the organizer of the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival. Larry is on vocals and harp, James Legere is on guitar and vocals, Sam Carothers on bass and Scott Bruyea on drums. All fifteen songs are original, Larry contributing nine, Larry and James penning one together and five coming from James, W. Legere and N. Walters. Larry and James produced the album which was recorded in Belwood, Ontario.
Larry sings clearly and plays some good harp while the band covers all the necessary bases, James playing in a pleasing variety of styles. Opener “Headwaters Hill Country” references the band’s local area, as Larry says in the accompanying one-sheet: “These blues rose up straight outta the rivers, farms, forests and hills of Headwaters in Dufferin County, Ontario”. The music on this cut channels the Mississippi Hill Country style as James finds a hypnotic riff over a pounding rhythm section, Larry extolling the virtues of his home area and playing some ethereal harp. Larry offers his services while James plays some soulful licks on the double entendre-filled “I’m A Carpenter” and shows us his humorous side on “Wrong Side Of The Door”, a country-tinged tune that all of us who have had dogs (or cats!) who are forever wanting to come in or go out will recognize. Larry explains that he has had enough of being Mr Nice Guy and henceforth will be a “Cold Hearted Daddy” on a solid shuffle with good stop-start rhythms and a sharp solo from Larry before “She’s So Fine” ups the tempo with a tribute to Larry’s girl full of bright riffs.
A commanding guitar riff opens “God’s Gift”, Larry adding some exciting harp before he starts singing about a beautiful woman who Larry believes is his own angel. The title track “Take A Ride” is a bright piece of jumping rock and roll which rattles along in fine fashion before Larry takes us into the suburbs where they “I used to live in the country, now people here’s some news, they say you can’t stop progress, I have those Subdivsion Blues”. Fast-paced harp and neat finger-picking feature on “So Glad You’re Home” while slide and tough harp are the hallmarks of the last track, “Teardrop Tim”.
The five songs from James and his co-writers are spread out across the album, James taking over the lead vocals on those tunes. “One Step From The Devil” has a strong riff at its heart and a spiralling solo from James, “Let Me In” is more melodic, Larry’s harp capturing the melancholic feel of the song well and “Dream Train” buzzes along well. “Switchblade Knife” has an appropriately menacing feel, despite the catchy rhythm arrangement and a fine harp solo while “She’s So Cold” may well be the pick of the five with some good slide and assertive harp work.
Overall, a solid album of all original material that includes some fairly traditional blues as well as a couple of tunes that veer into country and Rn’R territory, all enjoyable.
