Search - Paul Reddick, Sidemen :: Rattlebag

A Blues Classic

acnoth | Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada | 12/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every September the small city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada hosts the surprisingly excellent Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, and every year some unheralded band comes in and blows the doors off the place. In 2000 that band was Paul Reddick and the Sidemen, playing mostly tunes from "Rattlebag." This CD should definitely reach blues classic status. These guys grab you up front with a brief collage of the CD's tracks called "P.R. Jubilee," and they then kick it into gear with "Sleepy John Estes," which track demonstrates that they can play a guitar-hero style of blues that is further augmented by a sensational harp. Later, in "Blind River Blues," they demonstrate that they can slow it down and wrench your gut and heart with the pathos of pure blues. Other tracks of note are the short harp solo, "06/19," and the kick-(...) "I'm a Criminal." However, these are just the highlights; the whole CD is fantastic. In fact, it's a good thing that CDs have replaced vinyl. Otherwise, I would have already worn through the album for this one."

Paul Rennick and the Sidemen, "Rattlebag"

Bob Del Prete | Margate, Florida United States | 11/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a fresh new blues sound that reaches out and grabs you.
Their original songs are well written and drive hard, yet ever so smooth. I also had the pleasure seeing them live at the Ft. Laud Blues Festival - they are even better in person. They have tremendous potential."

Wow. What else is there to say?

Tobin Staley | Sacramento, CA USA | 11/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first hear this at a listening station somewhere (can't remember) and I was blown away. This band has it all, great songs, and great talent. The harmonica, the guitar, the singing is all great. Sorta a modern Butterfield's Blues band in a way."