Burning Tree are another band that burned brightly, albeit very briefly. Burning Tree existed for only this album, and then disappeared. Into the mists from whence they came. Some of you may be familiar with Marc Ford who went on to join the Black Crowes. This is a killer blues rock romp with plenty of groove, and their retro sound was (I guess) ahead of its time as every man and his dog are now releasing albums with the same vibe.
The album opens up with their namesake track and this sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the album. Kick ass blues groove that swings in all the right places. Wigs Blues And High Heeled Shoes blows in with a killer riff and man does this track groove. It’s favourite track time next with Fly On. An absolute monster of a tune. A dirty blues riff with a killer hook and chorus, plus Ford really rips on the guitar. Superb song! The tempo slows right down with Bakers Song, a melancholy country blues ballad that builds into a barroom groover. Side 1 closes out with Playing In The Wind. That country blues vibe continues with a much harder edge.
Side 2 kicks your ass immediately with the killer Hendrix influenced groove of Masquerade. Crush is more of that country blues vibe that harks back to the late sixties. Last Laugh has a great simple riff and beat with some Hendrix inspired flourishes, it is different to the rest of the album and it stands out because of this. Love the intro to Mistreated Lover, an oh so smooth pop blues with accompanying Hammond from Booker T. The album closes out with Turtle, a monster dirty riff groover that is very close to being my fave track.
That’s it, one and they’re gone.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
