Karl Morgan

With an undeniable feel and a seemingly effortless knack for agility, this Australian guitarist has no trouble proving that he is no run-of-the-mill blues player. Blazing through 12 tracks of original songs (with the exception of one cover) that not only showcase his prowess on the frets, but also his uncanny ability to craft a magnificent song, this album truly speaks from the heart of a man who still holds great faith in the blues. While it would be easy (and fairly accurate) to compare the way he approaches his playing to Stevie Ray Vaughn, it's not that cut and dry. There's tinges of funk, soul, folk, and straight rock here that really make this album stand out, while simultaneously reflecting the genuine versatility with which he handles the instrument. While these songs are full of plenty of licks to appease finicky guitar fans and aficionados, there's also no shortage of finely penned lyrics that lock arms with the gut-wrenching vocals, making sure these tracks are more than just templates for guitar solos. His ear for tone and balance adds to this, making sure the guitar is the driving force in the structure, but not overbearing and unnecessarily showy. Accessible and honest, this is a welcome album for not only fans of good ol' fashioned electric guitar playing, but also those who are looking for some finely tuned songwriting as well. - CD Baby