|
Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges
Coming Home
Armadillo Records |
Editor's Note:
This review previously appeared in the January 2006 issue of
Blues Bytes. After hearing his fantastic cut on one of Bob
Corritore's compilations, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, I decided
that I needed at least one album from Bridges in my collection,
and chose this one. I will likely keep adding more albums by
this wonderful artist. He's still not well enough known by the
blues masses, so it's appropriate to re-post this review as a
reminder to all of our readers.
Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges was
born in 1963, and is the son of blues guitarist ‘Hideaway Slim.’
At the tender age of five, young ‘Hideaway’ was performing with
his father around Louisiana. Though he has spent plenty of time
in Texas, Eugene is literally a nomadic musician. His home is
wherever his next performance takes him. Annually this includes
his native America, Europe, and Australia. In September 2004, he
recorded his fourth CD, Coming Home (Armadillo Records),
near Austin, Texas. Don’t expect his musical style to be
isolated to the Lone Star State. Do expect to fall in love at
first listen. Bridges wrote all 12 songs and performs guitar and
vocals. He is joined by nine guests, including a full horn
section, and famed Texas guitarist Rocky Athas, who grew up
playing gigs with childhood pal Stevie Ray Vaughan and received
his own fame as lead guitarist for the legendary Black Oak
Arkansas.
Triumphant horns and thundering percussion push the danceable
"Giving Up On Love" to the upper limit. The supremely smooth
vocals make this fascinating song worthy of being in the soul
music history books. This tune features a repetitive rhythm that
gets perpetually stuck in your head. The title track, with its
early rock ‘n’ roll influence, also features a rhythm that your
body won’t sit still to.
The aching beat and acoustic guitar gives "In
Your Arms Tonight" a pop feel and flavor. "I Need You" has a
similar taste. If you remember Bruce Hornsby or Richard Marx,
you get the picture. "I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me"
exhibits 12-bar blues and Bridges’ breathtaking vocals, which
become more and more incarnated. Ruf Ruffner’s uplifting organ
supports Eugene’s floating and soaring guitar notes.
Bobby Baranowski’s drums stomp during "Real Hero"
and gallop on "Love Me Right," while a three-person brass
section adds the feel of a big band orchestra. It’s time to
party on "You’re The One," where Bridges relieves Guthrie
Kennard’s reverberating bass duties. Occasionally, as on "I Woke
Up This Morning" and "Love Me Right," Bridges’ guitar playing,
structure, and tone are too similar to B.B. King.
With his silky voice and equally smooth guitar,
Eugene Bridges is living out his dream by performing original
music that makes you feel good. Had he recorded this album a
decade or two earlier, I’m convinced he would have enjoyed
commercial success. On Coming Home, Bridges establishes
himself as a credible songwriter, while Kevin Thorpe discloses
gifted production skills. On this elaborate CD; Eugene
‘Hideaway’ Bridges demonstrates he is capable of playing many
styles of music exceptionally well. It is one of those albums
that you listen to and ask yourself, “Why isn’t this guy a music
superstar?” Traditionally, blues musicians don’t fully mature
until their senior years – Bridges is the exception. This is one
of my top ten selections for 2005.
--- Tim Holek
