Chattanooga, TN deep blues musician and former Black Diamond Heavies member Mark “Porkchop” Holder quickly follows his killer 2017 debut solo release Let It Slide with his sophomore effort, Death and The Blues. Death and The Blues is another excellent collection of greasy, gritty, and heavy blues cuts. Holder calls life like it is and doesn’t overthink things, musically or otherwise: “Blues is the music of poor people, and poor people live closer to death than other people do,” Holder admits. “The message of the title track is simple: death and the blues are real. I have a personal connection with the symbols of death; they remind me not to waste my time. Life is short.” Standout tracks include: the cover of Jr Kimbrough’s “Sad and Lonely Nights”; the scorching blues track “Coffin Lid”; the fuzzed out Alan Lomax inspired levee camp song by Joe Savage “Big Boat”; the foot-stomper “Captain, Captain”; Marty Robbins’ “Billy The Kid”; and “James Leg” which is based on the Jelly Roll Kings song “Frank Frost Blues.” Death and the Blues is raw, driving, unapologetic and passionate blues music and one hell of a listen. Be sure to check out this album and try to catch Holder tearing-up your local juke joint or dive bar when he passes through. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Black Diamond Heavies, Left Lane Cruiser, James Leg, King Mud