Imagine a band forged in the little known city of Orebro, Sweden that gives an immediate hit like The Black Crowes mixed carefully by way of classic rock alchemy with Badlands, but who also have at their disposal the sweet melodies of vintage Free. Well that sounds like something rather special to me, and that’s exactly what opening track ‘Give Me Good Lovin” delivers.
Of course that sound has been done many times before and the real trick is to not only transport the listener back to better days but also do it with the sort of authority and authenticity that you just want to stay there.
‘Piece of the Peace’ takes that great opening and runs with it, expanding as it goes and packing some real punch in the solos. A change of mood comes with the sweet soulful ‘Ain’t Got Love’ starts with swelling keys that The Black Crowes understood so well and delivers a song designed to elicit a tear or two.
The vocal and understated guitar intro to ‘Take me Home’ really cements that Badlands/Free vibe and the song stands tall. Four songs in this album is already feeling like a revelation, and with only eight songs I realise that these days I’ll take quality over quantity any day of the week. This is an album crying out to live on the warm sounds of vinyl!
Side two starts with… ‘When love Comes Around’ and the sort of Faces meets Crowes swirling organ and guitar shapes that are beautifully comfortable and familiar. It’s a song that has some great guitar, stunning vocals and some real drive as well as keys reminiscent of The Faces. It’s ‘Soul to Soul’ though that may be their masterstroke, amping up like early Black Crowes, but with the sure-footedness and laid back vibe it took them a few albums to settle into.
The album closes out with two tracks that just cement your opinions – the light and airy ‘Get Your Wings’ which is pure ‘Free’, about the highest compliment I can give; and the bubbling waters, woodland sounds and languid guitars of ‘Water of Change/Rainbow’ which bursts into a hypnotic 60’s styled love-fest. It’s an unexpected and very cool way to close the first chapter.
If you like you Hard Rock forged in the coal fires of the 70’s and with a real bluesy seam running through it these guys are up there with The Black Crowes, Cry of Love, Badlands and their like. This will take some beating.
About Blackwood Spirit: Founded in 2014 by guitarist and song-writer Kent Engström who teamed up with drummer Joje Lindskoog and vocalist Göran Edman to start the recording of the album. In the studio the band added keyboardist Tobias Åslund and bassist Niclas Boson to form Blackwood Spirit.
