Ray Bonneville
Roll it Down
Red House Records - 178
available on Ray's website
This folk/blues player should not remain one of those undiscovered Canadians for very long with this release. Think combining Mark Knopfler, for the guitar work, and J. J. Cale, for that Tulsa shuffle feel. He falls into a groove that remains strong throughout the disc, burning up everything it comes in contact with. This groove while never becoming boring, much like John Lee Hooker’s boogie groove never becomes redundant. He has a slow-burning intensity that is interesting, unique and powerful. He has assembled some outstanding guests from both sides of the border to help with the disc; Colin Linden, Jonell
Mosser, and Richard Bell among them. This singer/songwriter, he wrote all 12songs, sets his groove on the guitar and plays the harmonica also. Watch out lower 48 here comes a Bonneville roaring down the road. This is one that will just burn and sizzle and keep you going for a long time.