Sol: Freedom

i don't think i ever got around to writing a lengthy post about the album Freedom by Sol

BUY IT HERE

i bought my copy on new year's eve 2008 when i went to see the Sol Creech Band at Martin's in Roanoke. between sets i bought a CD from the band. it was so new the ink on the cover was practically still wet. since that nite, i have been listening to it consistently. this music gets better with repeated listens. and the sound quality is superb. i've got major label CD's that don't sound this good.

here is one of the (not so great) pics that i took at that show...

Sol is an amazing talent. a guitarist/singer/songwriter and producer. his music is music that makes you feel good. and that ain't bad.....

....the songs on Freedom have a great sound and cover several styles like deep blues, laid-back reggae, pure funk, psychedelic rock, and smooth R&B. this album clearly doesn't fit in any one category. Sol puts into each song just what it needs. it has depth. the songs are all different and have their own identity yet, when grouped together, they flow perfectly. Sol's style takes a nod to the traditional yet is still original and fresh. i LOVE the instrumentation on the tracks like electric piano, horns and flute. but its not too much over-the-top production and no showboating. there is no need to pretend when the music is as pure and free as this. everyone should hear this album.

but the album clearly didn't need any help from me, it received a 2008 nomination for a Washington Area Music Award (WAMMIE) in the rock category and it was selected as one of the top 15 albums of 2008 at Green Arrow Radio

i don't know why i haven't raved about this album more often. late again. but Freedom doesn't need my little ol' blog. here are just some of the things that have been said about the album in the past year.....

Press Clippings for Sol
"Sol lays down a heavy groove! Sol fluently tears out rock, blues, reggae, and jazz, delivered with deep soul.” - Tim Duffy, Music Maker President
"Freedom is one of the top 15 albums for 2008!" - Mister G (Funk Soul Music Director WHUS), Green Arrow Radio
"Sol puts the soul into his guitar...everytime! With a screaming blues-funk sound and tight rhythm section, you can't help but to move your feet!" - Kris Hodges, Floydfest founder/organizer Vintage Virginia Wine Fest, founder
"“ When you hear Sol is around, go get a listen, it'll make your feet move and fill your spirit with joy”" - Staff, Advance Tribune
"The band pulls together funk, soul, blues and reggae elements... Sol uses his right hand fingers, not a pick, to get his bluesy, dirty-sweet solo lines, and he delivers the raw and tasteful in even helpings.... Good Party Music! - Tad Dickens, Press Review
"“Very professional musicians. Sol consistently lays down seriously funky stuff and attracts a nice crowd everytime... a can't miss good investment"" - J Martin, Club Owner- Virginia
"Sol and his band have been creeping up on the music scene-down and dirty... These guys play music like they are giving you, yes YOU, a huge loving hug. It is personal and you can feel it. Are you ready to feel it? ” - Carleton, Plaisted Press
"Sol is excellent at morphing rock, blues, soul, and reggae, taking it all to a different level and contributing to the evolution of the styles" - Len Commaratta, WUVT Music Director
"You have to admire a blues/soul singer who is trying to sound like himself, instead of some old blues guy. " - Tad Dickens, Press Review
"Ancient truths of the blues arrive in some new place, through some new voice, through some kid who is Sol” - Peter Cooper, Nashville TN
"....on your second listen, you notice all the little things- sounds, taps, beautiful background vocals, awesome sax, flute, and keyboards- and begin to realize two master engineers put this CD together. They have woven a tapestry of music that will uplift and warm your soul." - Staff, Advance Tribune
"“If Blues is Blood then Sol bleeds Mississippi Delta water when cut!" - J Wilson, Roanoke Times

find these reviews and more info about Sol's Freedom HERE

throughout 2008, Sol was on the road all over the place. here is the Sol Creech Band playing "Freedom" in Blacksburg, VA on Halloween:

i recently got an update from Sol on his upcoming projects with the Sol Creech Band and other musicians:

in january, Sol spent time recording a kid's album with his brother and working on a follow-up to Sol: Volume Blues (his first album as a producer)

Sol also just got back from a tour in Guatemala with blues legends John Dee Holeman (NC), Little Freddie King (New Orleans), and Mudcat (Atlanta) . they played the Fishin Blues Tournament in Casa Veija, Guatemala. it was a showcase for the Music Maker Relief Foundation

Sol's next show is back in Virginia at a hip New Orleans-style joint with great food, great vibes, cool peoples. Sol brings a mix of funk, blues, reggae, and rock to Okra's Louisana Bistro in Manassas this Saturday, Feb 28

Saturday Feb 28 @ Okra's Louisana Bistro

Sol will be performing with drummer Bruce Guttridge (who has worked with jazz legend Mike Stern, Carl Filipiak and others) and bassist Mike Tony Echols (who has worked with Deanna Bogart, Bobby Thompson and others)

For more information please visit: www.Sol-Roots.com

more upcoming shows:
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Feb 28 9PM Okra’s Louisana Bar Manassas, Virginia

Mar 7 8PM Private Party Washington DC

Mar 13 5PM Private Event Sterling, Virginia

Mar 19 6PM Savannah Music Festival Savannah, Georgia

Mar 20 8PM Mudcatz Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 21 8PM CHICKEN RAID FESTIVAL Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 30 8PM BELGIUM tour March 23-30 Antwerp, Belgium

Apr 4 8PM Broad St Café Durham, North Carolina

Apr 18 8PM Awful Arthurs Towers Roanoke, Virginia

Apr 24 9PM Okra's Lousiana Bar Manassas, Virginia

Apr 26 8PM Red Horse Tavern Middleburg, Virginia

May 29 8PM Charleston - TBA Charleston, SC

Jun 20 8PM Blue Mountain’s GEMINI FEST Martinsville, Virginia

Jul 25 7PM Private Event Wirtz, Virginia

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( official / myspace / reverbnation )

Sol is a musician and vocalist from the DC Metro/Virginia/North Carolina area. He has toured all over the world with the blues legends of Music Maker Relief Foundation. Sol has also presented his band at wine festivals, premier music festivals, and venues across the Mid-Atlantic US. Sol has been on bills with Taj Mahal, BB King, Cootie Starks, Cool John Ferguson, John Dee Holeman, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Derek Trucks, New Orleans legend Walter Wolfman, the jam-band favorite Soulive, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Robert Cray and others.

the Music Maker Relief Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to helping southern blues artists who cannot afford health care and other daily expenses. find out more HERE

there is an upcoming documentary about the Music Maker Relief Foundation called "Toot Blues".....

coming up: new pics of Esperanza Spalding and more videos from 2008