Wayne Nicholson – Gin House
Grindstone Records – 2023
11 tracks; 48 minutes
Wayne Nicholson is a veteran of the Canadian scene, a vocalist who has performed with several East Coast acts over the years. He is equipped with that classic rock voice (think Paul Rodgers of Free as a benchmark) and handles these songs with consummate ease. The album covers a variety of styles, containing seven originals and four covers, Wayne writing in collaboration with several others, including band mates. The experienced band is Wayne on vocals, James Logan on guitar, Kim Dunn on keys, Bill Stephenson on piano, Bruce Dixon on bass and Neil Robertson on drums; in addition MonkeyJunk members Tony Ditedoro (guitar) and Steve Marriner (harp) also contribute, as well as Lisa McDougall on backing vocals. Tony D. also produced the album.
The album is bookended by “Gin House Blues”, a song that dates back to 1925, written by bandleader Fletcher Henderson with lyrics by Helen Troy. Originally recorded by Bessie Smith, it was also covered by Nina Simone. Wayne gives us a hard-rocking version with a strong guitar riff and heavy harmonica; in complete contrast, the album closes with a different arrangement, just Wayne and pianist Bill, entitled “Wayne And Bill’s Gin House Blues”. Bill’s jazzy chords return the song to its origins and it is interesting to compare Wayne’s vocal approach on the two very different versions.
Apparently based on Wayne’s dream put to music by Tony D’, “Shucking Corn With Muddy Waters” has terrific harp from Steve over a throbbing rhythm as Wayne tells of seeing Muddy in front of “two girls shucking corn and dropping them in a big pot of boiling water”. The acoustic guitar intro to “Mother Earth Blues” prepares us for a more melodic track featuring plenty of keyboards and some good slide work on the later part of the track before “She’s Not My Angel Anymore”, a tough blues ballad with some torrid guitar work. Upping the tempo, “When Trust Turns To Dust” is a full-pelt rocker that rattles along with great rock n’roll piano and a powerful guitar riff, the perfect vehicle for Wayne’s voice; at 2.33 it’s the shortest track here but packs a considerable punch!
The cover of Jimmy Reed’s “Honest I Do” is something of an oddity on the record with its country-tinged approach and gentle harmonies between Wayne and Lisa but is followed by the outstanding cut, an epic song entitled “The Night Train Is Coming”. Prefaced by a superb piano intro, slide brings in Wayne’s tough account of the battles that veterans have with PTSD: “my demons were summoned and there’s nothing I can do or say. The night train is coming, taking me through hell, the night train of darkness I know so well”. Given the references to Muddy in the earlier dream song, a cover of “Forty Days And Forty Nights” is very appropriate. Written by Bernard Roth, Muddy released it in 1956 and Wayne does a great job on this version, as does the whole band, with special mention to Steve Marriner’s blazing harp work here. “Invisible Blue” is a rock ballad with angst-filled vocals and plenty of swirling keys and, to complete the selection, “Blue Funk” does what the title suggests with sterling work from bassist Bruce.
Plenty of variety here, blues present alongside elements of rock, funk and even a hint of country and jazz, so something for most music lovers to enjoy. Wayne Nicholson proves himself a competent vocalist across all those styles.
