When it comes to great guitarists, reviewers love to amp up the metaphorical wattage with descriptive bombs: “electrifying”, “scorching”, “fiery” and so forth. But, combine those words, multiply them by a massive number and throw the result into a furnace and you still won't capture the primal fretwork of rock, soul and blues marvel Philip Sayce.
Having moved to Canada as a child, this Welsh-born guitar wizard cut his teeth on the competitive Toronto club circuit during his teens, where a chance encounter with Jeff Healey lead to him to joining the late guitarist's group. After that invaluable baptism, he toured with Uncle Kracker and spent three years as a potent sideman for Melissa Etheridge.
Sayce finally released his debut solo album - 'Peace Machine' - in 2009, showcasing the young maestro's penchant for thumping funk, blazing Jimi Hendrix axe work and powerfully soulful vocals. The following year's 'Innerevolution' saw him enter commercially charged melodic territory, while 2011's 'Steamroller' found him returning to a ferociously raw, badass blues-rock style.
'Influence' partly continues in that face-melting vein, but also boasts some gorgeously textured gems as Sayce pays tribute to his idols with pleasingly obscure cover versions and impressive original compositions.
That said, if there were an award for worst opening and closing tracks on otherwise excellent albums, 'Influence' would triumph. Both Tom Devil and Peace In The Valley aim for a rootsy vibe, but don't fit with the rest of the record as their slurred vocals sound like a hobo drunkenly crooning.
Fortunately, Out Of My Mind takes over and swiftly unleashes blues-rock lightning bolts as its gallons of adrenalin and fuzzy musical muscle recalls early Hendrix. The spectre of said guitarist also infuses the wonderful crimson sunset sadness of Fade Into You, which is so similar to Little Wing you wonder if it is an homage or a rip off.
After a few spins it's clear that, in keeping with the album's concept, he's cleverly written new songs in the style of his heroes rather than lazily covering the same done-to-death classics. The results cohere seamlessly, with Little Richard's Green Power hurling grooves from the groin and gospel soul from the heavens, while Graeme Nash's 'Better Days' purrs with bright skied optimism and Little Feat's Sailin' Shoes is a swaying bar room bouncer.
Following their collaboration on 'Steamroller', Sayce re-teams with producer Dave Cobb who, fresh from his recent work with Rival Sons, gives the record his characteristic in-your-face immediacy and spontaneous energetic fever.
He also co-writes all the originals with Sayce, and the likes of I'm Going Home – with its batter ‘n' tumble riff responding to gritty vocals – Easy On The Eyes and Evil Woman show they're a match made in blues-rock heaven.
Sayce is really maturing as a guitar player too, marrying a style that sounds like it has to explode out of his fingers with a perceptive feel for when to reign it in and let rip. Witness the contrasting – but equally perfect - way the heart stopping solo on Light ‘Em Up literally screams into life, compared with the gorgeously picturesque, chiming chords and glowing soloing on instrumental gem Triumph.
With 'Influence', Sayce superbly fuses soul, gospel and rock ‘n' roll to cement his reputation as one of the hottest exponents of elemental, passionately expressive blues on the block.
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Having moved to Canada as a child, this Welsh-born guitar wizard cut his teeth on the competitive Toronto club circuit during his teens, where a chance encounter with Jeff Healey lead to him to joining the late guitarist's group. After that invaluable baptism, he toured with Uncle Kracker and spent three years as a potent sideman for Melissa Etheridge.
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