Five Field Holler

Think of the Blues and most people think of the Mississippi Delta and the classic figure of the lone Bluesman a la Robert Johnson, or the gritty urban landscape of Chicago with the electrified sound of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and all the countless other economic migrants from the middle of last century. But there is a third great centre of Rhythm & Blues in American History: New Orleans and the Louisana swamp lands. Here the blues from inland met the European and African influences arriving by sea. The result, of course, was F-U-N-K. Five Field Holler try to take the same philosophy to their music. Mixing classic R&B and blues styles with the grooves and good time feel of New Orleans, and the improvisational nature of jazz, they play a raw, exciting, progressive brand of blues. Not content to simply churn out blues-by-numbers versions of tired songs, they write and perform original material, as well as new, fresh, arrangements of older R&B tunes. Anchored by the rock steady rhythm section of Robin Lowrey (drums) and Emil Engstrom (bass), Five Field Holler can pound out the heaviest of grooves or drop to a delicate whisper. The dual lead instrument attack of Marco Andreose (keyboards, accordian, percussion) and Chris Saunders (guitar, vocals) soar and weave in and out of the groove with ease.Five Field Holler have recently completed their second album ('The Wishanger Sessions') which combines five original compositions as well as covers of songs by artists such as Doctor John, Freddie King and The Meters.The result is a listenable, danceable, foot tapping musical experience that reminds of you of where the music has come from and where its going in the future.Blues in Britain Review April 2007...