Social media would have one to think that music is a singular focused art form with limited genre range. Much of that mentality can be attributed to the TikToks, YouTubes, and promotional pages of streaming music platforms that cater to the Gen Z demographic.
Yet, just beyond the river bend lies an entire population that enjoys a variety of music that doesn’t use synthesizers, loops, autotune, or overproduced vocals, which brings me to review the latest project from blues-rock singer and songwriter George Gritzbach. The Cape Cod-based musician is all about his artistry on his well-rounded, 10-track album Full Circle.
On his sixth studio album, Gritzbach conjures up the spirit of time-honored blues made popular by greats B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Eric Clapton, while rejuvenating the sound for an immersive lyrical experience abbreviated by the all engulfing backing of his talented rhythm section. Accentuating his vocals are drummer Christian McCarthy, saxophonist Peter Murry, bass player Scott Lariviere, keyboardist Johnny Menezes, and occasionally, former Muddy Waters Band member Jerry Portnoy, who plays harmonica.
Learn More About The George Gritzbach Band
Gritzbach’s organic approach to blues removes any questions of authenticity. It helps that he was rooted in soul music at an early age.
“Blues and R&B music was a comfortable fit for me and I wore it well,” Gritzbach said in an interview with For Folk’s Sake’s Jonathan Frahm. “I was exposed to country blues by a friend and I ate it up, couldn’t get enough of it. Lightin’ Hopkins, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, and finally Reverend Gary Davis. I spent hours learning how to finger pick and play their songs. Eight to ten hours a day of music was not unusual for me.”
Similar to the days of old school blues, Gritzbach channels his emotions into each song as if he’s filling evaporating vessels of each guitar string riff with life-forming energy. It’s urgent, but casual at the same time. Nothing exemplifies this more than the sweet sound of “Sweet Misery,” where instrumentation flows easily with Gritzbach’s passionate lyrics.
Gritzbach sings, “The door moves so slowly | You never saw it close | All that was you and yours is gone | Still the hunger grows | Sweet misery.”
“Sweet Misery” is one of those songs that incites reflection and a tidbit of sadness, but is so necessary to the build of momentum that Gritzbach so masterfully creates. Just as Gritzbach takes us down, he does a pivot turn and rebounds with the more cheerful track “One Race, Many Faces.” The song delivers a fully textured canvas that spells color in the minds of the creative with emphasis on a bluesy saxophone and a line dancing handclap that inspires even the most unrhythmic to break out in choreography.
“Better than Gold,” the sing-along song that completes the 10-track collection, falls in the same category as “One Race, Many Faces” as it pertains to delivering messages of unity and hope. He continues his blues magic with the equally upbeat “Sally-O,” a spectacularly festive declaration of a love lost that is made for hot summer festivals, family reunions, and busy outback pubs.
Listen To ‘Full Circle’ On Spotify
While blues music traditionally relies on lyrics that expresses emotion, Gritzbach opts for the contemporary and superstitious with “Black Rose.” The haunting instruments complement an even more gritty vocal that tells the story of a mystical being inspired by Creole folklore. The song borders on the lines of early Rock-n-Roll, roots R&B, and Folk music.
“As I look back, it was a way of dealing with the losses in my early years and giving me an outlet for expression of who I was. Early on, I started writing my own songs and found I had something to say and wanted to say it.”
-George Gritzbach
From the beginning, Gritzbach takes listeners on an exceptional sonic trip that explores and empowers in the best way. The well-traveled musician is tellingly cultured and seasoned — and it’s probably because he has a special process for creativity.
“I have one basic creative rule of thumb or creative imperative, if you will, simply go where the muse leads you,” Gritzbach said. “Sometimes this is more difficult than it sounds, it requires one to let go, to step aside and trust the process. Personally, it takes emotional work to stay right-sized, which for me fosters the zone for creativity.”
Full Circle, produced by Gritzbach and Jay Sheehan, is currently out on Spotify and other music streaming platforms.
