David Lumsden & Friends

Hues of Blues

Independent

David Lumsden acquired his first guitar after hearing The Yardbirds 1965 album “Having A Rave Up”. Featured were both Eric Clapton and his replacement Jeff Beck and they explored their blues rock roots. Five years later Lumsden heard Freddie King’s 1971 record “Getting Ready” and he was hooked on the blues.

Lumsden was the guitarist in The Hurricane Ruth Band from 2011 through 2017. He appears on her 2014 album “Born on the River”. Her positive reviews often included accolades for Lumsden. “Lumsden’s strident aggressive guitar driving the sound along like a train”, “David’s muscular guitar riffs are a central part of the band’s sound”, “Lumsden barely allows you to take a breath as he melts the strings on his guitar” and “Lumsden lays down solid guitar that cannot be denied”.

Producer Lumsden loves Willie Nelson’s words “the life I love is makin’ music with my friends” and he has gathered together his friends to make his debut recording. Opening with a fantastic version of Earl Hooker’s “You Got to Lose”, first recorded in 1969, Lumsden rhythm guitar sets up his solos. He shows us that he is also a commanding vocalist. His friends on this track include Tim Bahn, organ; Wayne Carter, piano, Gary Davis, bass; and Arthur Carey Sr., drums.

Lumsden shares the vocal and guitar chores with Bill Evans on the classic “Further On Down The Road” with Jerry Dion Doss on drums.  Pianist Carter is the vocalist on Denise LaSalle’s “You’re Ruining My Bad Reputation” with Lumsden on slide. Carter sings again on the “Thrill is Gone” popularized by B.B. King and on Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia” recorded by Ray Charles.

Lumsden plays some wicked guitar on Jeff Beck’s “Brush with the Blues” recorded live at Pop’s Place in Decatur, Illionis. “What’s The Matter With The Mill” is from Memphis Minnie and her husband Kansas Joe McCoy, drummer Reggie Britton takes the vocal while Ezra Casey solos on piano; Steve “the harp” Mehlberg is featured on harmonica. Mehlberg sings on his own “Broken Knee” and again on Mel London’s “Cut You Loose”.

Guest vocalist, the fabulous Mary Jo Curry, delivers “Raised Me Right” which she co-wrote with Lumsden. Two instrumentals are also included “Rollin and Tumblin’” credited to Hambone Willie Newborn; and the closer “Rain Song”, written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and featuring guitarist Lumsden on an acoustic; while Andon Davis plays slide and Gary Davis switches to keyboards.

This recording should propel Lumsden to the next level as he is a fine guitarist, vocalist, arranger, and bandleader.

Richard Ludmerer

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