Music review: Charlie Hunter: ‘Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth’
With an album title that draws from a priceless line once uttered by former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, Charlie Hunter鈥檚 latest effort feels like a musical plan that effortlessly rolls with the punches.
Long considered an authority on the seven- and eight-string guitar, Hunter鈥檚 vision for his new material focuses on providing an improvisational blues album for his fans to absorb and savor.
鈥淓verybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth鈥� was recorded live in the studio as to capture the spontaneity and emotion of the inspired sessions.
Hunter expands his band from a trio to a quartet working with drummer Bobby Previte, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and cornetist Kirk Knuffke in delivering 10 new tracks possessing a blues energy sprinkled with a robust jazz flavoring.
Throughout the new material, the 49-year-old artist鈥檚 guitar playing is flawless and mesmerizing as the rest of the band feeds off Hunter鈥檚 energy to assist in creating a transcendental euphoria of musical delight.
The single, 鈥淣o Money, No Honey,鈥� features Hunter鈥檚 signature seven-string playing technique as he simultaneously lays down a smooth bass groove with a guitar lead on the engaging number.
The title track smoothly bobs and weaves around a melodic groove grounded by Previte鈥檚 smooth skills on the drum skins, while Fowlkes and Knuffke shine on 鈥淲ho Put You Behind the Wheel?鈥� and 鈥�(Wish I Was) Already Paid and on My Way Home.鈥�
Following up the Americana and folksy vibe of last year鈥檚 鈥淟et the Bells Ring On鈥� that also featured Previte and Fowlkes, Hunter demonstrates his uncanny knack for infusing his distinct interpretations to various musical styles.
Since his debut release in 1993, Hunter continues to be innovative as well as entertaining by remembering that some of the best plans come together in the heat of the moment.
Here鈥檚 an opportunity to prop up your feet, close your eyes, pour a glass of your favorite beverage and erase the stress of a busy day as you allow the music to soothe the soul.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer.
He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.