Blackstratblues - The New Album

Blackstratblues is Warren Mendonsa’s project in Kiwiland, and if you didn’t already know that, kindly jump out the closest window. And don’t look down.

Blackstratblues returns with an apt name for his album and some great tunes for the ear. Called ‘The New Album’, keeping in the tradition with the dry humour that has accompanied all of Warren’s projects (read: Albummed, Procrastination, Nights in Shining Karma), this album like the last one is up for free at Warren’s website.

The album opens with a light cat and the fiddle sounding song – The Happy Billi Song. The track’s an instant joy-trip. The album shows Warren’s range and turns next into Lullabyebye, a track that starts slow and picks up like a charm. Newness is where you see Warren take a step higher. Great composition with Pt. Bonjonum on the pakhawaj, the song shows great evolution on the part of the guitarist. The next few songs are some of the most breathtaking guitar parts in recent years with some great vocal performances by Johnny Barker on Another Sun and Emma Walter on Older, Wiser and Grey. Walter does an exceptionally good job of leaving a haunting presence of her voice. Ode to a Rainy day is another stellar piece by Warren with a great hook and bass line. It has always been Warren’s way to make the guitar talk more than just play notes and he evokes great emotion out of the Black Strat here as well. And he leaves the best for last – Ode to A Sunny Day – quite simply the best Warren since Christmas in July. Try concentrating on what you’re doing through this song. The simple riff keeps going for a whole 10 minutes of brilliant music that closes the album out.

Blackstratblues’ The New Album is a considerable production achievement over Nights in Shining Karma given that it features live drums and an evolved smoother tone. This album might not please everyone like NISK did, but for the fan, I guess it’s an offering from Jesus. For free.