It’s a match made in rock n’ roll heaven and one we have been eagerly anticipating since the release of the wonderful tease that was 2022 EP ‘Stardust Session’. Now its time for a full-length album from Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton and with ‘Death Wish Blues’ they have delivered in abundance. It’s an album that takes us on a journey of dirty, fuzzy rock n’ roll with bluesy and at times country undertones… a genuine “something for everyone’ body of work.
Having seen Fish on her Australian tour earlier this year I knew she has some serious guitar talent, as well as wonderful vocals to add to her song writing abilities… bring in Texan born Jesse Dayton’s country vibes with his dark influences and punk -like musical attitude and you get the superb ‘Death Wish Blues’, a collection of twelve tracks that push and pull you all over the place – I dare you to keep still while listening to it!
‘Deathwish’ opens the album with its bluesy up-tempo rhythm, hooky groove with Fish delivering the vocals, with distorted fuzz on the chorus. It’s a wonderful start, which gets even better when the guitars kick in. ‘Down in the Mud’ allows Dayton to shine and this one has a real funky, undertone as does the groove-heavy ‘Riders’, which was released as one of the singles previously released. This is a real out and out duet with Samantha & Jesse swapping vocal duties. It’s a foot tapper, with another undeniable hook before hitting us with a cracking chorus & guitarwork – one of my album highlights (and there are many).
‘Settle for Less’ slows things up a bit but sucks us into a false sense of security as it once again drives on with Fish back in front of the mic and again those catchy riffs just pull you in for maximum enjoyment. Dayton hits the front on ‘Trauma’ for a rock n’ roller with a nice punchy mid-section. Hints of country blues vibes lace the wonderful ‘No Apology’ and here Fish gets to show the softer side of her vocals in another song that sits forward, helping to add another dimension to the album. It’s soulful and warm and a real diverse inclusion that works well.
‘Flooded Love’ reminds me of Duane Eddie’s ‘Peter Gunn’ with both Fish & Dayton lending their vocals to this one – with a mid section that oozes groove. ‘Lover on the Side’ is a rock n’ roll hillbilly jive that comes straight from the dance halls of the 50’s – humorous & fun, it breaks the album up and again sits up as one of my favourites. The guitar solos are almost dual-like in their delivery. ‘Rippin and Runnin’ takes us south with a classic blues start… foot tapping blues… it’s a steam locomotive rhythm that’s delivered by bassist Kendall Wind, keyboardist Mickey Finn, and drummer Aaron Johnston.
‘Dangerous People’ keeps you on the front foot before we hit the penultimate track – funk-laden, fast paced and addictive ‘Supadupabad’ is just that. Fuzzy, funky and fun, it sound almost jam-like in its delivery, which is explained by the fact that most of the album was recorded ‘live’ in the studio. Saving the best till last, ‘You Know my Heart’ is a country wonder where both artists deliver a real gem showing an undeniable chemistry they have created.
Death Wish Blues is a blues, country-infused, rock n’ roll treasure best served loud. Bring on more collaborations & live shows from these two.
8.5/10
TRACK LIST
1. Deathwish (2:39)
2. Down In The Mud (2:52)
3. Riders (3:40)
4. Settle For Less (3:09)
5. Trauma (3:06)
6. No Apology (4:16)
7. Flooded Love (2:39)
8. Lover On The Side (2:48)
9. Rippin’ And Runnin’ (4:21)
10. Dangerous People (3:31)
11. Supadupabad (2:06)
12. Know My Heart (3:47)
12” VINYL
SIDE A
1. Deathwish
2. Down In The Mud
3. Rider
4. Settle For Less
5. Trauma
6. No Apology
SIDE B
1. Flooded Love
2. Lover On The Side
3. Rippin’ And Runnin’
4. Dangerous People
5. Supadupabad
6. Know My Heart
MUSICIANS
Samantha Fish – Vocals, Guitar, Cigar Box Guitar, Junkyard Percussion
Jesse Dayton – Vocals, Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Tambourine
Kendall Wind – Bass
Mickey Finn – Keyboards
Aaron Johnston – Drums
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Jon Spencer
Executive Producers: Rueben Williams and Jude Chauvin
Recorded and Mixed by Chris Bittner at Applehead
Recording & Production, Woodstock, NY
Assistant Engineer: Michael Birnbaum
Mastered by Chris Athens at Chris Athens Masters, Austin, TX
Mastering assisted by Harrison Holmes