- Previously published on my blog at www.phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/05/nick-schnebelen-live-in-kansas-city.html
2017 – Vizztone Records
By Phillip Smith; May 20, 2017
I’ve been a fan of Nick Schnebelen since hearing Wrong Side of the Blues, a 2011 release from his band Trampled Under Foot, which was cofounded with his siblings, Danielle Nicole and Kris. That album was one of my favorites that year, and I was fortunate to have reviewed it for Blues Review Magazine’s online magazine, Blues Wax. Nick now leads his own band, a high-energy power trio with Cliff Moore on bass and Adam Hagerman on drums. Live in Kansas City captures a riveting concert from this band who took the stage at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City on December 3, 2016.
Leading off this killer ten track album, is the spectacular “Fool”. Schnebelen’s vocals, soaked in the blues, are powerful and smooth. The captivating sound of his guitar rings with spirit and emotion. I love the funk-infused rhythm on “Herbert Harper’s Free Press News”. Catchy riffs and high-octane drums fuel this one. The guitar mastery demonstrated in “You Call That Love” is second to none, and sounds absolutely amazing. Chills shoot up and down my spine when they break into a quite superb cover of Johnny Winter’s “Mean Town Blues”. Schnebelen takes no prisoners as he plays this wonderful piece on slide. The album closes with “Conformity Blues”, an exquisite instrumental guided by a propelling rhythm and intricately laced up with an exhilarating guitar performance.
Nick Schnebelen Live in Kansas City is an outstanding album of fortified electric blues which hits the ground running and plows through right to the very end.
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