Robert Jon & the Wreck - Shine A Light

15-09-2021

Robert Jon Burrison grew up in Cerritos, CA. His father determined his future most strongly, because he could play the guitar, drums and (most importantly) listen to the old LPs with his father's gospel music at home. As he got older, he played music in the garage at home and was able to try out different instruments. When Burrison was in high school, he started writing his own songs. At university in Glendora, he meets drummer Andrew Espantman and Wong. As a trio, they regularly jam together and meet Steve Maggiora. Later, lead guitarist joins Kristopher Butcher (later replaced by Henry James). In February 2011, Robert Jon Burrison formed his band "The Wreck" in Southern California. Over the past decade, Robert Jon and the Wreck has been one of the most prolific bands in blues rock. Not only has the band put out several albums, but the quality has also remained high with each release. In 2020, Robert Jon and the Wreck's previous release, "Last Light On The Highway", was voted #10 on Blues Rock Review's top 20 albums of 2020. 2021 sees the release of "Shine A Light On Me Brother" and the quality has never been better. The title track kicks off the album and is a pandemic-inspired soul track about pushing forward. One thing that has always stood out with Robert Jon and the Wreck is the band's knack for writing hooks. "Ain't No Love Song" has an incredibly infectious chorus and is a very radio-friendly track with a perfect hitting guitar solo from Henry James. Robert Jon Burrison's lead vocals are well complimented by the backing vocals of Mahalia Barnes and Juanita Tippins who fans might recognize from their work with Joe Bonamassa along with Prinnie Stevens. Speaking of catchy tunes, "Chicago" is another one of the album's standout tracks with its big sing-along chorus and the killer horn section of Jason Parfait and Ian Smith. This will definitely be a crowd pleaser in the live environment. While "Shine A Light On Me Brother" definitely has songs of hope, the album also hits heavier topics. "Anna Maria" is about a doomed relationship where Burrison belts, "You're so cruel" and "Brother" is a track about mental health that really hits home for the band. The song was inspired by a friend close to the group battling mental health issues. Henry James' guitar solo here really elevates one of the best tracks on the album. Robert Jon and the Wreck are a United States based band that is carving out a nice audience in the UK and Europe but deserves a wider audience worldwide. This is one of the best blues rock band's in the world today. The musicianship is topnotch, the songs are great, and this is a band that can be appreciated by a wide variety of listeners. "Shine A Light On Me Brother" is Robert Jon and the Wreck's best album to date which is saying a lot. It's a great album from start to finish. Robert Jon Burrison, the tough front man of the band, is blessed with just the right voice, light, full and loupe clean. Although originally from Orange County Los Angeles, they bring delicious southern rock with a touch of west coast. The other strong point is the Wreck, from drummer Andrew Espantman to bassist Warren Murrell, keyboardist Steve Maggiora and star guitarist Henry James, all four top performers. Although for many this new album will sound very civilized, I can't wait to see how they will perform songs like the title track "Shine a light on me brother" or the beautiful ballad "Hurricane". For example, I read in the Blueskrant, in a piece about Robert Jon and the Wreck, that a good song doesn't always need a three-minute guitar solo; Robert Jon and the wreck proves that on "Shine a light on me brother". The songs are great, such as "Movin'", how exactly the right mix is of acoustic guitar, a tinkling piano, that dark bass and that loose drumming and the polyphonic vocals, it is Robert Jon and the Wreck in full. How they sing about emotions, pain and inner torment in "Anna Maria" or "Brother", with an excruciatingly beautiful solo by Henry James. It is these songs and songs such as "Ain't no young love song" and "Everyday" that make this CD so strong. Soul, Blues and a wanton disregard for current fashions... it can only be another beautiful, timeless album from Robert Jon & The Wreck! After 2020's 'Last Light On The Highway' made the number one spot in The Rockpit's albums of the year a follow up was always going to be a difficult proposition but this year's "Shine a Light on Me Brother" makes that 'hard act to follow' cliché look rather moot. Opening track "Shine A Light On Me Brother" immerses you in what makes this Orange County band so special from the off. It's energetic, uplifting and connects instantly, taking hard rock, horns, soul and with lyrics that attempt to lift us all out of our Covid malaise, it's a keeper and the best possible statement of intent ! 'Everyday' that follows is uplifting and run and wonderfully soulful, it's got all you need to feel good like Black Crowes 'Sothern Harmony' with more abandon and Gospel in the mix. It's also nice and loose and sounds like it was recorded with the band in the same room and features soulful backing vocals from Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens (the Australian trio) who just add to the sonic stew. 'Ain't No Young Love Song' is another ray of summer sun, but more of a traditional Pop song than you might expect. There's tinges of Springsteen in the folds and a surprisingly upbeat radio-friendly summer sound. 'Chicago' is simple yet wonderfully adorned, with languid horns and a sparse arrangement that centers your attention on the bittersweet vocal before the lush chorus slides in. It's a song steeped in Soul and simply sublime and the sax solo just places that cherry right on top. 'Hurricane' contrastingly is a stripped bare ballad that begins with just acoustic guitar before the voice then keys glide in followed by the rest of the band. It smolders and glows beautifully drawing you in to the sad tale, It's wonderfully mellow moment and another powerful song "like a ship sailing into a hurricane." 'Desert Sun' gets us back rocking with a mid-tempo song driven by keys and vocals. It's heartfelt and warming and hits a sweet spot. 'Movin'' which follows lets the guitar do the work and has a great riff and groove. Another standout here though comes next with 'Anna Maria' which has a wonderful story to tell of tangled love and pain. It's a song that really lives through the emotional vocal and simply stunning with some wonderful accompaniment. After a string of immensely satisfying songs all born during Covid, we come to the homestretch too soon. 'Brother' is heartfelt and powerful and has a wonderful Southern flavour. it's another towering song and probably my current favourite, and man that guitar tone just hits the spot ! 'Radio' the final song is a quickfire quirky Blues with a heap of swing and tells a tale of the perils of the music business. It's a fun upbeat way to close. Another classic you need in your collection. The hot streak continues ! Robert Jon & The Wreck have been writing songs and releasing albums since the band's formation in 2011, and have received numerous accolades and rave reviews from nominations of "Best Rock" and "Best Blues" and winning the title of "Best Live Band" at the Orange County Music Awards in 2013, to being hailed as "keeping the history of classic 60's and 70's rock alive for newer generations" by blues guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. If you want to know why they've garnered such high praise, just take a listen to their latest album, "Shine A Light On Me Brother", which is released on September 3rd. It's a thrilling slice of Southern blues rock that outshines even their well-received 2020 album, "Last Light On The Highway". "Shine A Light On Me Brother" opens with its title track, which was released as a single back in June and was rightly described it as an "instant classic" by Metal Planet Music's very own Paul Monkhouse. Blending rock and roll with the gospel roots that the band grew up on, the track deals with the obstacles, hurdles, and hardships brought on by 2020, while crying out with a soulful hope of normalcy. It's a storming opener, and sets a high bar for the rest of the album. The post-pandemic theme continues into 'Everyday', which speaks to the desire to get together with friends, play music, have some beers, and just spend time with each other in person again. 'Everyday' is a looser jam track, with additional background vocals from Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens, and features some soaring guitar licks courtesy of Henry James. Next we have 'Ain't No Young Love Song', an anthemic love song that seems tailor-made for radio airplay. 'Chicago' is also about love, but is more bittersweet (the city of Chicago is asked to "look after her when I'm gone"), and the depth of feeling is enhanced by the horn arrangement provided by 504 Horns from New Orleans, LA. Despite its name, 'Hurricane' is the most subdued track on the album, and shows that this band can deliver nuance as well as storming Southern rock. It's a beautifully tender acoustic ballad where the moving lyrics are perfectly matched by the minimalistic instrumentals. The pace picks up again as we enter the second half of the album with 'Desert Sun', a song that's about unrequited love. Written by Henry James, it's soulful, uninhibited and honest. Where 'Desert Sun' is lyrically-driven, the following track 'Movin'' is guitar-driven, with one of the best riffs of the album delivering one of its standout tracks. 'Anna Maria' provides another standout, telling the story of a doomed relationship. It's great lyrically, and has some engaging melodic touches that are heightened by the soaring vocals, it's probably my favourite track of the album. As the album nears its end we reach 'Brother', a moving story about supporting loved ones with mental health issues. It's a powerful and poignant track, with a transcendent guitar solo. 'Radio' brings things to a close with a short, sharp barn-burner of a track that presents us with an allegory about dealing with the music industry. With 'Shine A Light On Me Brother' Robert Jon & The Wreck have not only demonstrated their mastery of the Southern blues rock genre, but also delivered a cracker of an album that's packed with great lyrics and skilful instrumentals. Highly recommended.

A1 Shine A Light On Me Brother

A2 Everyday

A3 Ain't No Young Love Song

A4 ChicagoA5 Hurricane

B1 Desert Sun

B2 Movin'

B3 Anna Maria

B4 Brother

B5 RadioRobert

Jon Burrison - lead vocals, guitar

Andrew Espantman - drums, backing vocals

Steve Maggiora - keyboards, backing vocals