Thursday, July 11, 2013


Henrik FreischladerHouse In The Woods (Cable Car Records).

Cologne born Freischlader started out as a drummer but hearing Gary Moore on Cold Day In Hell he picked up a guitar and never looked back.  He’s been championed by Joe Bonamassa and it’s easy to hear why; Freischlader is a superb young axeman. House In The Woods boasts 10 original songs covering Blues Rock in its many guises. The eponymous title track is a funky Blues Rock whereas the closing track Won’t You Help Me is a power ballad. In between there is 1999, not the Prince song but with the same attitude as the little purple one with slashing guitar, the power and snappy drums of Sisters and the tough grinding Take The Blame. Ballads get an airing in the form of the whispering Two Young Lovers with Elvis Costello coming to mind and the soulful Breaking My Heart Again with echoes of Paul Carrack. Henrik’s classy guitar shines through on the relentless With The Flow and squeals on Hear You Talking but it flows like a mountain stream on the plaintive Nowhere To Go. Throughout the album the lingering sound is that of Freischlader’s voice which comes from the depth of his soul.


David Blue.

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