Trickbag - Afternoon Mint (2003)

                                                                Trickbag
 It's doubtful that Sweden is high on anyone's list of top blues locales, but one spin of Trickbag will convince listeners it's not without its merits. This 5-piece band is impressive and steeped in blues, particularly the swinging West Coast approach of artists like Rod Piazza, William Clarke, George Smith, and others. From the drilling opener, Home Brewed Boogie, it's immediately evident that these guys have studied the form and honed their craft. Tommy Moberg's vocals are powerful without as much as a hint of an accent while the guitar work of Magnus Sjölin has elements of T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton, and Junior Watson, among more. Joachim Barchéus handles the harp chores with plenty of chops and a deep appreciation for tone, and the rhythm section of Lars Nasman and Bjorn Viitanen have the ability to drive the band effortlessly, whether charting the course through the Texas double-shuffle of Sweets For Somebody, the vintage rock and roll feel of Goin' Home, or the lowdown South Side Chicago grip in A.J. Rumble. Sjölin's guitar is well to the fore in his own Come Back Tomorrow and the crunching jump of the title track, but everyone delivers regardless of the groove or tempo. The high point could be Too Fat For A Suit which displays the band's ability to hit the mark on all counts; instrumentation, feel, attack, and dynamics. Fleshed out with horns on a handful, as well as piano and organ on a few, these guys have the goods and deliver an all-original set of blues, boogie, and swing.


Credits:

Magnus Sjolin - Guitar, Vocals
Joakim Barcheus - Harmonica
Lars Nasman - Bass
Bjorn Viitanen - Drums
Tommy Moberg - Vocals

Tracklist

01. Home Brewed Boogie    
02. Goin Home    
03. Aint Got Time    
04. Sweets for Somebody    
05. Me N' You    
06. Rockin' Xanadu    
07. Back To Me    
08. Snake Charm    
09. AJ Rumble    
10. Come Back Tomorrow    
11. Susanna    
12. Top of The World    
13. Afternoon Mint    
14. Gently As The Moon    
15. Too Fat For a Suit    
16. Crowd Pleaser    
17. Lonely Days