GA-20: Lonely Soul [Album Review]

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GA-20
Lonely Soul
Karma Chief/Colemine Records [2019]







TFN Album Review: I know if you are into indie music you might not be searching the blues charts for new tunes but on occasion bands cross over and become a must listen with their style and groove. Boston’s GA-20 is one of those bands. Pat Faherty and Matthew Stubbs (Charlie Musselwhite’s longtime guitarist) started the group in 2018 out of their connection to traditional Blues, R&B, and late ‘50s and early ‘60s Rock n Roll. You can hear this as soon as you drop the needle on Lonely Soul!

Their approach is simple with two guitars, vocals and drums which makes Lonely Soul raw foot stomping good. The group has a rock energy much like the first Black Keys records without the fuzz but GA-20 are definitely more influenced by old school blues. Each track here has a certain roll to it that you either foot tap or sway side to side but all songs connect and make you want to hear more. The simple howl that kicks off the title track is enough to catch you as Stubbs exclaims “Lord have mercy on me” and clearly invites you along for this smoking blues ride.

Lonely Soul features several covers which GA-20 make their own and showcase how well they know the blues. The record also features blues legend Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All-Stars) handling slide guitar duties which only adds to GA-20’s depth. This is an album that goes well beyond being labeled a blues record and will be enjoyed by any fan of plain old Rock n Roll as it is a timeless jam from front to back!

GA-20 Website
GA-20 Facebook
Karma Chief/Colemine Records

– Reviewed by Thomas Wilde

Thomas Wilde
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