CD REVIEW: LLOYD SPIEGEL – Double Live Set

Shane | 30 June 2015 | Reply

CD REVIEW: LLOYD SPIEGEL – Double Live Set
Independent
1 July, 2015
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
9/10

It speaks volumes that dextrous blues maestro Lloyd Spiegel’s originals stand tall in esteemed company on his new double live set. That, too, is the name of the album: Double Live Set. You can’t say he isn’t a straight shooter.

His playing mirrors this: it’s straight from the heart and deceptively simple. Sparse and full of air, he’s the consummate tasteful player: only ever picking the notes that matter.

Spiegel’s Tangled Brew is an early highlight, following on from Robert Johnson’s Love In Vain; his wonderful King With No Crown – a love story to his wife and mother of his kids – is as evocative as Dylan’s I Shall Be Released.

Accompanied only by his acoustic guitar on the first disc, and Tim Burnham’s minimalist drumming on the second, Spiegel’s vocals are an unsung hero here: full of emotion and soul.

Brother Marty Spiegel joins in on second acoustic guitar for disc one closer I’m Down (And Out And Sorry) to great effect, and also on disc two’s finale, Goin’ Home.

There’s a bit more swing to the second disc, with the addition of the drums and electric guitar – another side of a supremely talented coin.

If I Killed You When I Met You – one of Spiegel’s best – positively bristles with animosity and regret; while Muddy Waters’ Louisiana Blues slides authentic Delta blues through an all-Australian filter for the most authentic Aus blues sound since Matt Taylor picked up a guitar; before John Lee Hooker’s This Is Hip adds a little bump n’ grind.

Murder For Breakfast again showcases Spiegel’s acoustic finesse, soloing and riffing with a Hendrix-like feel.

Clocking in at almost two-and-a-half hours long, this is by far the best way to experience Spiegel apart from actually being at a show. Despite the length of the album, by the time Goin’ Home closes the show, it’s hard to not go back to the start and do it all again.