5 Tracks To Relive From Grinderswitch
Grinderswitch for Honest to Goodness - Grinderswitch - Topic / Youtube
While a lot more obscure than other Southern rock acts, Grinderswitch was one band that didn’t sacrifice quality for the sake of commercialization. The Macon-based rock outfit took blues seriously thanks to influences like Cream, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, and Albert King. Comprised of a competent lineup courtesy of Dru Lombar on vocals and slide, Larry Howard on guitar, Stephen Miller on keys, Joe Dan Petty on bass, and Rick Burnett on drums. Together, the members forged a soulful, bluesy menagerie that matched the intensity of their more prominent counterparts like the Allmans or the Marshall Tucker Band.
“Pickin’ The Blues” – Macon Tracks (1975)
A moderately-paced tempered blues track comes in the song “Pickin’ The Blues,” it is aptly named for the brilliant and clear picking technique used to deliver the track. The slight distortion gives the right amount of bite in this standard blues classic.
“Kiss the Blues Goodbye” – Honest To Goodness (1974)
While not exactly the most scathing track around, “Kiss The Blues Goodbye” from Grinderswitch’s 1974 album Honest To Goodness displays the band’s ability to tame the blues while the vocals remain as soulful as ever.
“Miss Understanding” – Ghost Train from Georgia (2005)
From the 2005 album Ghost Train from Georgia comes the song “Miss Understanding”. Grinderswitch goes more laidback and fun-loving in this cut with a great guitar lick fest and driving keyboard accents to match.
“Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” – Honest To Goodness (1974)
Another great foot-stomping anthem from Grinderswitch is the song “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down”. While most of their songs are often driven by the main blues riff, this cut follows a constant keyboard riff that ties everything together.
“Open Road” – Pullin’ Together (1976)
“Open Road” carries a country-influenced sound that is overlayed by overpowering licks that are introduced in little doses in the verse and chorus, but takes over the bridge portion of the song with an indulgent run that continues until it ends.
