(2022) Committee of Vultures - Everybody Wants the Blues          


Review:
Committee of Vultures, a collection of world-class musicians centered in New Jersey, has assembled to create new, original material that captures the distinctive musical soul of the region. This powerful collective utilizes an eclectic mix of genres that spans the full spectrum of roots music ranging from rock ‘n’ roll, blues, soul and swamp boogie to Americana, alt-country and gospel. They’ve been recording since 2012 and amassed a vault of recordings featuring 30-plus musicians and vocalists who give Committee of Vultures an ever-changing sound from one session to the next. Loosely configured but bound by a common musical thread, the brothers and sisters of Committee of Vultures are dedicated to their shared musical promise to serve the music and to honor the mystical traditions of the “Jersey Delta. Digging deep into the roots of their shared musical heritage and returning with richness, wisdom and groove, Committee of Vultures is a force to be reckoned with on their new album Everybody Wants the Blues, out via Jersey Delta Records . Being roots music, there is a sense of the music having originated in one region. Everybody Wants the Blues is heavy with tradition and human themes. There are essences of Tom Waits in the music, but also sounds which remind one of London bands of the 1970s and 1980s, with the feeling of camaraderie, and the sense of lessons being related after a few beverages at the bar in a dark, slightly off main street club after a gig perhaps. The tales are intriguing, often centered on relationships and mostly on women: Everybody Wants the Blues is packed with stories and a sense of shared understanding. Everybody Wants the Blues begins with “Lightning Struck the Fairgrounds,” a powerful, full-throttle blues number with a rocky backdrop underpinning the arrangement and vocals. Ada Dyer demonstrates lyrical storytelling as her majestic voice intones the song’s tale well, while the backing remains steady and uplifting. From the opening introduction to the final fading notes, this is a solid and sassy number. The title track has an entirely different feel – that of life lessons being delivered. All of this probably unfolds in a backroom bar in the middle of Nowheresville, where the experienced man is lecturing the younger one in the ways of dealing with life’s fights, women and the importance of associating with friends. “Jenerosty” is laid back, and tells of the dangers in being too generous with your heart, and money. The beautifully arranged music and the standard of delivery add to the uplift, but on a second or third listen, it becomes clear the words tell the story of death and sadness, which is slightly disconcerting. — somethingelsereviews.com





Track List:
1. Lightning Struck the Fairgrounds
2. Everybody Wants the Blues
3. Jenerosty
4. Criminal Music
5. Dressed to Get Naked
6. Across the Thorny Country
7. Crossroads Dancing
8. Terrible Driver
9. Our Lady of Angles
10. Book of Kings
11. Vainglory
12. Expert on Grease


Media Report:
Genre: americana, blues, rock, soul
Country: USA
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits


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