PJ O’Brien – High Cost
Jefferson Records
9 songs, 42 minutes
Australians got the Blues. The down under is a thriving Blues hot bed and PJ O’Brien is one of the more pleasant and good time practitioners. O’Brien’s newest High Cost is a perfectly sized 9 song, just over 40 minutes, of Blues Rock. All original material that leans more accessibly to a more Pop side of Blues, O’Brien plays and sings with confidence and precision.
High Cost was recorded during the Covid lock down but it is no dour slog. Co-produced with drummer George Brugmans, O’Brien offers his own take on the hardships of the times through up beat chameleon-like runs through the styles of B.B. King, Chuck Berry, 70’s Soul Blues and even more modern influences. Drummers Dave Fester and Chris Nable share tracks with Brugmans. Bassists Al Britton, Mike Rix and Ray Beadle (who also adds some acoustic guitar) lock in. Danny Tsun, George Bibicos and Ray Woolftickle the ivories piano and organ. Jessie Wagner and Rachel McMullan sing backing support.
The relative deep bench of musicians doesn’t detract from the cohesiveness of the music. O’Brien has a pretty singular tenor singing voice and lyricism. The shades of James Taylor in his voice and his matter of fact plain spoken writing style lend themselves to Adult Contemporary Blues. Soul charged ballad “Silence is Golden” could be on a Bonnie Raitt record while title track “High Cost of Living” would easily fit into Keb Mo’s repertoire. Rockers like “Cash” with its direct Chuck Berry nod and “Devil You Know” bring the music into the roadhouse. Kitschy instrumental “Molly’s Kitchen” doesn’t really go anywhere but it is a tasty backing track for some sun kissed beach drinking.
PJ O’Brien is a great player. He has chops to spare and a clean delivery that is both vocal and fiery. Even when playing straight ahead signature riffs of the past, there is a personality and uniqueness that shines through. He plays with fluidity and has mastered the syncopated triplet stacking that allows a player to seemingly riff on forever without ever resolving the line. This record is fun and light, and a good through listen. It’s great stuff.
