There’s no doubt, Murray Kinsley and Wicked Grin are serious about what they do. Their 4th release since 2011, Murder Creek was produced by Nick Blagona (Cat Stevens, Deep Purple, The Sheepdogs) and features guest artists: Jesse O’Brien on keys (Colin James), Tom Bona on drums (Raoul and the Big Time, Soulstack, Sue Foley), and Darcy Hepner and Sonny Del Rio on horns. The band stepped it up another notch with this CD. Kinsley penned many of the 10 tunes included on the disc. Inside you’ll find a lyrics insert, sharing the words being sung.
The 4th cut, Trouble Coming was created while they were writing and rehearsing the CD in Florida, at the same time the Parkland Shooting took place. The song delivers a strong guitar beginning with a drum accompaniment that gets the heart reacting. Murray’s vocals delivery the message strong and clear.
The tune, So Long, Too Soon is a tribute to those artists who have given us their music and left us too early. It’s truly gritty roots rock.
Freedom (written by Colin James and Tom Wilson), the last cut, offers a funky beat that starts slow and builds. It shares the limelight with vocals, guitar and harmonica. The words are catchy enough that you’ll find them repeating in your head after the song has finished.
Wicked Grin is a true touring band, from Ottawa, ON, who spends much time on the road. They have sub sequentially made friends across North America and are often asked to play with other musicians. Everywhere they go, they win fans and followers who dig their sound and energy. They aren’t a super active kind of stage act, but Kinsley as the front man, has that persona that draws you in. He’s subtle, so subtle, but oh so wonderful in his delivery. The rest of the band consists of Rod Williams on harmonica, Leigh-Anne Stanton (always smiling and recently won MBA Bass Player of the Year) on bass and Bruce Saunders on drums.
Their style is blues-rock and their delivery is tight and professional. Kinsley’s guitar playing has been described as “raw” and reminds me of many of the greats from years gone by.
You can connect with the band, on their website: http://wickedgrin.ca or
https://www.facebook.com/wickedgrinblues/
Purchase the CD on Amazon, CD Baby & iTunes.
Cora Price
Boogety Shoe Blues & Fraser Valley Blues Society
February 27, 2019