I'll be honest - I've been listening to Southern rock a long time. I've heard of GrinderSwitch (referenced in the Charlie Daniels song, the South's Gonna Do It Again) but I've never heard any of their music from days gone by. But I had the chance to review their new CD, "Ghost Train from Georgia", and I'm really glad I did.

From the opening slide southern swamp guitar sounds of "Where'd You Learn to Love Like This" to the Robert Cray-like "Who's Been Cheating on Who", (reminiscent of Smoking Gun), to the funky When Two Hearts Beat as One, this is good ol' Southern Rock the likes of which haven't been heard in a lot of years.

The haunting title track is a tale of Civil War heroes waiting on their ride home. "Holding On (To Someone Letting Go)" is a particulary moving bluesy tune. You just don't hear stuff like this anymore on the radio. "2 Wheel Ride" is an instrumental that reminds me of a cross between Charlie Daniels and The Marshall Tucker Band. "Close Enough to Love" is a foot-stomping duet with a great beat.

"Homebound" is a slower ballad with an Allman Brothers feel. "Help Me Lord" is a sinner's prayer of a man who has hit his brick wall. "Miss Understanding" is a mid-tempo blues number. "Dixie Flyer" (not to be confused with the song of the same title by Travis Tritt) Rocks on down the track - a great way to finish up this killer CD. Watch your speed when you're driving with this one on!

The musical talent of these guys shows up in every one of these songs - this is not some slick New York mass-produced overdubbed fluff. This is raw Southern blues-rock passion! You can feel the heart and soul in every note. From beginning to end, you can picture yourself in the bar with the lights down low and the smoke rising and the beer flowing, with these guys jammin' on the stage. The liner notes by primary song writer Dru Lombar say "In this day of fast food music and cookie cutter singers I know there are people who just want good honest music." This new CD from GrinderSwitch definitely helps fill that void!

Review © 2004 JWA & SFCR^™