Cold Blue Water - S/T (Self-Released)

California’s Cold Blue Water is a blues rock band in the term’s truest essence. The band sound like Led Zeppelin stripped down to their purest blues element, or Jimi Hendrix in the blues-ier direction he was surely headed for before his untimely death, with guitarist’s Andy Bs’ obvious love and affectation for Hendrix style solos. The band also slips into the occasional Allman Bros. style funk-infused jam as on “Da Doodle.” However, the greatest asset here that separates the band from most typical blues outfits is the more than welcome addition of a horn section and the unmistakable sounds of a Hammond organ.

In reality, only the songs “Catfish Blooz” and “So High” are pure blues, others like “Led Boots” and “Blue Rain” slip into surprisingly jazzier territory. It’s clear the band is better suited for the raw, slow shuffling blues rather than the more experimental styles they occasionally delve into, but they handle everything adeptly no matter what they’re playing. But when they’re playing the blues, real ragged blues, they are truly in their element. You may not even be paying attention strictly to the words, but you can feel the blues seeping out of every pore. It’s nothing mind blowing or new, but Cold Blue Water’s new self-titled release should be a welcome addition for any blues fan.