Aren’t there times that you’ll listen to a blues album and ask yourself “I wonder how this would sound all acoustic”?. Guitarist/vocalist Hadden Sayers gives you a chance to experiment with that situation, as he plays the same songs (in different order) in acoustic and electric modes, more or less. The result is a fantastic look into the dna of the blues.
The unplugged album has him accompanied at times with hand claps and foot stomps, etc by Jim Ed Cobbs, with the electric disc teaming Sayes with Greg Morrow/dr, Rusty McFarland/b-perc-g, Johnny Neel/org and some backing vocals. Thus, what is a boogie street folk blues with a vocal snarl on the acoustic “Unsatisfied,” the band goes heavy metal on a thunderous electric track. A rockabilly Chuck Berry riffed solo read of “Good Good Girl” gets plugged in for a funky read, and a street corner story of “Peppermint Patty” is a hard rocker. The B3 hums with guest Ruthie Foster on “Waiting Wanting” with the stripped down a tender treat. Lots of fun to compare, mix and match. Each is enjoyable in its own right. Which mood are you in?