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Reviewed by Bing Turkby

Kara James Gordon: Settle The Score EP

Reviewed by Bing Turkby

Kara James Gordon: Settle The Score EP

Kara James Gordon’s guitar-playing prowess is well-established. With this five-track EP he presents a quick hit of stripped-back blues numbers, with a little accompaniment from producer Barnaby Weir, and some harmonica from Harpo Strangelove of Alabama 3 on a couple of tracks. Recorded at The Surgery with mix and mastering by Lee Prebble it proves a very successful combo. Gordon’s guitar tones range from scuzzy electric to delicate acoustic. Each song has its own vibe, but everything sits comfortably within conventional blues styles – indeed the EP is subtitled ‘Blues EP’, so you’d hardly be expecting a genre-defying statement. Instead, you can rest assured that you’ll hear someone who really knows how to deliver a blues song, whether it be a Robert Johnson-style finger-picked tune, some Son House-style slide, or a John Lee Hooker stomp. There’s a slow-burning soulful track in there too. Gordon’s voice tends toward the plaintive tenor of the aforementioned Johnson, which is obviously a good thing if you’re doing a blues showcase album. And, as you may also expect, there are enough deft guitar solos to send you back to your practice space. Gordon displays the good taste to only play the notes he feels, never trying to wow you with an emotionless flurry of notes played at light-speed. Whatever shade of blue you’re feeling, ‘Settle The Score’ has a song for you.