The Radio Kings
The Radio Kings
Back from a ten year break, this group were always mentioned in the same breath as The Fabulous Thunderbirds. And whilst I will always have a soft spot for that crew’s first album with it’s Jimmy Vaughan chugging guitar and straight-off-the-griddle Kim Wilson harp, I have never felt the need to collect all the FB albums.
However, this collection kicks off with as good a starter cut as I’ve heard this year as ‘Can’t Keep a Good Man Down’ steams into life with an irresistible Delbert McClinton/John Hiatt style about it. Southern Soul as it should be heard !
‘Donna’ has an easy roll about it and reedy country harmonica ; the song ‘She Belongs To Me’ is NOT the Dylan chestnut, but a Magic Sam tune. There is a Prine heaviness to ‘Watch The Trains Roll By’ and a country blues Leadbelly touch to ‘The Moanin’ Blues’.
The band’s ‘own thing’ might be the dark funk workout of ‘Everything’s Gonna Be All Light’ and this really works.
‘Pallet On The Floor’ is bayou rock’n'roll ; ‘Evil Love’ does indeed have a Texas / FT vibe.
Vocalist and harpist Brian Templeton works well with guitar man Michael Dinallo and they don’t get in each other’s way, though players of this calibre can and do spark off each other on stage, doubtless these chaps enjoy the live situation.
There are runs of lap steel from Steve Sadler here and there and the Cassell/Plaisted/Carlisle team cover bass, drums, percussion and clavinet. It’s strange that they don’t sound more like Little Feat, really…..
In summary then, a purposeful and entertaining set and certainly a good song-souvenir for concertgoers who like what they hear
Pete Sargeant www.fairhearing.co.uk
