CD Review – Scrapomatic “I’m a Stranger and I Love The Night”
Life has come full circle for Mike Mattison, after writing and recording Grammy winning albums with the Derek Trucks Band and the Tedeschi Trucks Band and touring the world he has returned to Scrapomatic, the group producer John Snyder found him in and subsequently recommended Mattison as a replacement lead vocalist for Trucks and Co. Mattison formed Scrapomatic with guitarist Paul Olsen some fourteen years ago have released their fourth album I’m A Stranger and I Love the Night, no doubt as a chance to settle some unfinished business. The duo is joined by guitarist Dave Yoke and Drummer Tyler Greenwel l who both have also clocked time in Susan Tedeschi’s band and TTB. The twelve track collection produced by Mattison was recorded at Trucks’ Swamp Raga Studios, where the family of musicians has certainly struck upon a formula for creating award winning music. Olsen shares vocal and writing responsibilities with Mattison on the sweet sounding soul roots rock songs all of which have a familiar easy going aire. The sing along sentimentality of the title track is infectious as the duo reflects on the early days of struggle in the big apple. Mattison howls at the moon leading the band through the burning retro rockers “Rat Trap, “and “The Mother OF My Wolf.”The Memphis style shuffle on “Night Trains, Distant Whistles,” shows off the group’s southern style with flair, while the tender 6/8 ballad “I Surrender,” finds Mattison channeling Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. Olsen’s beautiful sing along “The Party’s Over,” complete with ”na na’s,” feels like a lost 70’s classic with a little Derek Trucks slide playing slipped in for good measure. Props must also be given to Jeff Bakos Amp works for the lush guitar tones throughout the disc.
Rick J Bowen
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