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CD Reviews
Rambling Blues - Melanie Young, Living Blues, October, 2018
"As a solo artist, bandleader and veteran of Henry Gray and Carol Fran's bands, Marty Christian has cultivated a musical approach that spans multiple genres, including funk, country, zydeco and soul. Yet the heart of his music has always been the blues. The latest solo release from the Lafayette, Louisiana-based guitarist and singer-songwriter is truly that - on Rambling Blues, he performs six classic blues songs alongside seven of his originals, accompanying himself on guitar.
And it's Christian's guitar skills that are front and center here, whether the Delta-style picking on his lovely version of Ida Cox's Rambling Blues, the frenzied, knife-like attacks on Muddy Waters' Country Blues or the flowing-molasses licks on Sitting on Top of the World. The sound is focused and intimate throughout, and the playing at times so intense you can hear the clacking of the guitar body, such as on the lover's plea Now Now. His take on Nobody Knows You When you're Down and Out is surprisingly jaunty, with an almost ragtime feel. The freewheeling style and energy of his originals Carnival of You and Write Me a Letter bring to mind early Van Morrison. Three instrumentals round out the set including the amusing, unusual morsel Russian Tea Biscuit.
Bottom line, Marty Christian makes beautiful music, and Rambling Blues is another fine showcase of his artistic gifts. "
"As a solo artist, bandleader and veteran of Henry Gray and Carol Fran's bands, Marty Christian has cultivated a musical approach that spans multiple genres, including funk, country, zydeco and soul. Yet the heart of his music has always been the blues. The latest solo release from the Lafayette, Louisiana-based guitarist and singer-songwriter is truly that - on Rambling Blues, he performs six classic blues songs alongside seven of his originals, accompanying himself on guitar.
And it's Christian's guitar skills that are front and center here, whether the Delta-style picking on his lovely version of Ida Cox's Rambling Blues, the frenzied, knife-like attacks on Muddy Waters' Country Blues or the flowing-molasses licks on Sitting on Top of the World. The sound is focused and intimate throughout, and the playing at times so intense you can hear the clacking of the guitar body, such as on the lover's plea Now Now. His take on Nobody Knows You When you're Down and Out is surprisingly jaunty, with an almost ragtime feel. The freewheeling style and energy of his originals Carnival of You and Write Me a Letter bring to mind early Van Morrison. Three instrumentals round out the set including the amusing, unusual morsel Russian Tea Biscuit.
Bottom line, Marty Christian makes beautiful music, and Rambling Blues is another fine showcase of his artistic gifts. "
Offbeat Magazine, Feb 2015 Review by: Dan Willging
Marty Christian originally intended this as a solo project since his songs really didn’t fit his band Rue Boogaloo’s funky-bluesy grooves.
At least that’s what he thought until monster bassist Lee Allen Zeno (Buckwheat Zydeco) and jazz drummer Frank Kincel heard ’em. They wanted in and essentially shaped Christian’s solo affair with a Boogaloo foundation on most tracks.
Christian achieves an artistic milestone with a handful of songs that were written from a third-person perspective.
It’s something he has rarely done but through various encounters, the experiences of others were transformed sonically, such as the offshore worker yearning for reconciliation (“Louisiana, Hold My Baby”) and the ex-con trying to live clean (“Payment Down”).
On “Her Promised Land,” a young mother attempts to battle her way through insurmountable obstacles. The title song sports two versions, an electric and a heartfelt acoustic version.
Despite Christian’s folkie sensibility, he also defies strict categorization. His vocals occasionally border on soul-ish and he dives into blues, swamp pop and infectious, Zeno-powered funk at the drop of a hat.
Additionally, he’s an impressive finger picker—witness the ripping jazz-tinged romp “Too Much.” Christian may not be easy to pigeonhole but he’s nobody’s remora either.
Marty Christian originally intended this as a solo project since his songs really didn’t fit his band Rue Boogaloo’s funky-bluesy grooves.
At least that’s what he thought until monster bassist Lee Allen Zeno (Buckwheat Zydeco) and jazz drummer Frank Kincel heard ’em. They wanted in and essentially shaped Christian’s solo affair with a Boogaloo foundation on most tracks.
Christian achieves an artistic milestone with a handful of songs that were written from a third-person perspective.
It’s something he has rarely done but through various encounters, the experiences of others were transformed sonically, such as the offshore worker yearning for reconciliation (“Louisiana, Hold My Baby”) and the ex-con trying to live clean (“Payment Down”).
On “Her Promised Land,” a young mother attempts to battle her way through insurmountable obstacles. The title song sports two versions, an electric and a heartfelt acoustic version.
Despite Christian’s folkie sensibility, he also defies strict categorization. His vocals occasionally border on soul-ish and he dives into blues, swamp pop and infectious, Zeno-powered funk at the drop of a hat.
Additionally, he’s an impressive finger picker—witness the ripping jazz-tinged romp “Too Much.” Christian may not be easy to pigeonhole but he’s nobody’s remora either.
What I Came Here to Do - 2014
"... Christian’s been in Louisiana 11 years, seemingly soaking up touches of the sounds and correctly redirecting them into his own — not throwing a rubboard or accordion in and calling it swamp blues. Instead, he just shows a few shades of what he borrowed from these genres. “Last Train,” for example, is such a close cousin to a Leadbelly track that it’s worth googling to make sure. “Too Much” reflects his Louisiana tenure, adding a jazzy blues touch.
Unlike the records in those tourist traps, this is all original material, not standards that have been covered (poorly) for the upteempth time. And backed by Lee Zeno (Buckwheat’s bassist) and Frank Kincel (Bluerunners and Specklers drummer), it’s a tight record with Delta blues minimalism yet smooth. Unlike the hard time blues men of old, Christian’s gentle and hopeful voice isn’t coming out of a throat full of gravel.
Though there are a lot of “my baby” songs here, Christian goes introspectively deep in penning them, avoiding the low hanging fruit of easy cheese blues.
Contrary to the genre, there seems to be hope in these blues songs. The title track — after it lists four verses of mistakes he made — ends with the assertion, “I just came here to leave with you.” “Louisiana, Hold my Baby” tells of heading offshore and fighting on the way out the door. Yet, by the end, it sounds like he might get the girl back.
Going his own route, Christian’s songwriting skills keep him out of the clearance bin. He’s not trying to reinvent or fuse the blues by any means, which is just fine." - Nick Pittman, the Ind, Lafayette, LA, Feb 2015
http://theind.com/article-20111-FOR-THE-RECORD.html
"... Christian’s been in Louisiana 11 years, seemingly soaking up touches of the sounds and correctly redirecting them into his own — not throwing a rubboard or accordion in and calling it swamp blues. Instead, he just shows a few shades of what he borrowed from these genres. “Last Train,” for example, is such a close cousin to a Leadbelly track that it’s worth googling to make sure. “Too Much” reflects his Louisiana tenure, adding a jazzy blues touch.
Unlike the records in those tourist traps, this is all original material, not standards that have been covered (poorly) for the upteempth time. And backed by Lee Zeno (Buckwheat’s bassist) and Frank Kincel (Bluerunners and Specklers drummer), it’s a tight record with Delta blues minimalism yet smooth. Unlike the hard time blues men of old, Christian’s gentle and hopeful voice isn’t coming out of a throat full of gravel.
Though there are a lot of “my baby” songs here, Christian goes introspectively deep in penning them, avoiding the low hanging fruit of easy cheese blues.
Contrary to the genre, there seems to be hope in these blues songs. The title track — after it lists four verses of mistakes he made — ends with the assertion, “I just came here to leave with you.” “Louisiana, Hold my Baby” tells of heading offshore and fighting on the way out the door. Yet, by the end, it sounds like he might get the girl back.
Going his own route, Christian’s songwriting skills keep him out of the clearance bin. He’s not trying to reinvent or fuse the blues by any means, which is just fine." - Nick Pittman, the Ind, Lafayette, LA, Feb 2015
http://theind.com/article-20111-FOR-THE-RECORD.html
Rue Boogaloo - 2012
Living Blues - Aug, 2012 Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close.
Rue Boogaloo is not currently schedules to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Living Blues - Aug, 2012 Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close.
Rue Boogaloo is not currently schedules to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Underground Blues - 2009
Gritty, down and dirty and definitely hurting, Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be. A largely stripped down recording of Marty Christian on guitar and vocal, he is joined by Andy Cornett and his harmonica on “Piney Wood Boogie.” Together they certainly punch above their weight. “Last Bus to Memphis” leaves you down and out; standing on the dusty road in the rising steam of summer heat. There are some real nice little guitar accents in this song that really set the mood. Steeped in traditional sound... - Nancy Vivolo, Victory Review, April, 2009
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Marty Christian first made himself known in the early 90s as a Blues radio DJ in that town. Then from one side of Austin, Texas to the other side of Eastern France, he honed his skills as a performer. Returning to the scene in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003, he made his first solo album, "Bluesicana" in 2006. Marty Christian is sometimes heard at the side of pianist Henry Gray, but it is only with the sole support of Andy Cornett on harmonica on two songs (Piney wood Sentimental boogie and blues) that he chooses to speak here. In this "Underground Blues" produced by Evan Jones, there are no mysteries to decipher in the words, unattainable notes to dissect. Just the pleasure of listening to an interpreter in a compelling original repertoire...
- Dominique Lagarde, Soul Bag, FRANCE, March 2009
Bluesicana CD "James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot, Offbeat, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan 2007
Rue Boogaloo Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close. Rue Boogaloo is not currently scheduled to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Gritty, down and dirty and definitely hurting, Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be. A largely stripped down recording of Marty Christian on guitar and vocal, he is joined by Andy Cornett and his harmonica on “Piney Wood Boogie.” Together they certainly punch above their weight. “Last Bus to Memphis” leaves you down and out; standing on the dusty road in the rising steam of summer heat. There are some real nice little guitar accents in this song that really set the mood. Steeped in traditional sound... - Nancy Vivolo, Victory Review, April, 2009
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Marty Christian first made himself known in the early 90s as a Blues radio DJ in that town. Then from one side of Austin, Texas to the other side of Eastern France, he honed his skills as a performer. Returning to the scene in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003, he made his first solo album, "Bluesicana" in 2006. Marty Christian is sometimes heard at the side of pianist Henry Gray, but it is only with the sole support of Andy Cornett on harmonica on two songs (Piney wood Sentimental boogie and blues) that he chooses to speak here. In this "Underground Blues" produced by Evan Jones, there are no mysteries to decipher in the words, unattainable notes to dissect. Just the pleasure of listening to an interpreter in a compelling original repertoire...
- Dominique Lagarde, Soul Bag, FRANCE, March 2009
Bluesicana CD "James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot, Offbeat, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan 2007
Rue Boogaloo Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close. Rue Boogaloo is not currently scheduled to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Underground Blues - 2009
Gritty, down and dirty and definitely hurting, Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be. A largely stripped down recording of Marty Christian on guitar and vocal, he is joined by Andy Cornett and his harmonica on “Piney Wood Boogie.” Together they certainly punch above their weight. “Last Bus to Memphis” leaves you down and out; standing on the dusty road in the rising steam of summer heat. There are some real nice little guitar accents in this song that really set the mood. Steeped in traditional sound... - Nancy Vivolo, Victory Review, April, 2009
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Marty Christian first made himself known in the early 90s as a Blues radio DJ in that town. Then from one side of Austin, Texas to the other side of Eastern France, he honed his skills as a performer. Returning to the scene in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003, he made his first solo album, "Bluesicana" in 2006. Marty Christian is sometimes heard at the side of pianist Henry Gray, but it is only with the sole support of Andy Cornett on harmonica on two songs (Piney wood Sentimental boogie and blues) that he chooses to speak here. In this "Underground Blues" produced by Evan Jones, there are no mysteries to decipher in the words, unattainable notes to dissect. Just the pleasure of listening to an interpreter in a compelling original repertoire...
- Dominique Lagarde, Soul Bag, FRANCE, March 2009
Bluesicana CD "James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot, Offbeat, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan 2007
Rue Boogaloo Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close. Rue Boogaloo is not currently scheduled to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Gritty, down and dirty and definitely hurting, Underground Blues is everything that the blues should be. A largely stripped down recording of Marty Christian on guitar and vocal, he is joined by Andy Cornett and his harmonica on “Piney Wood Boogie.” Together they certainly punch above their weight. “Last Bus to Memphis” leaves you down and out; standing on the dusty road in the rising steam of summer heat. There are some real nice little guitar accents in this song that really set the mood. Steeped in traditional sound... - Nancy Vivolo, Victory Review, April, 2009
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Marty Christian first made himself known in the early 90s as a Blues radio DJ in that town. Then from one side of Austin, Texas to the other side of Eastern France, he honed his skills as a performer. Returning to the scene in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003, he made his first solo album, "Bluesicana" in 2006. Marty Christian is sometimes heard at the side of pianist Henry Gray, but it is only with the sole support of Andy Cornett on harmonica on two songs (Piney wood Sentimental boogie and blues) that he chooses to speak here. In this "Underground Blues" produced by Evan Jones, there are no mysteries to decipher in the words, unattainable notes to dissect. Just the pleasure of listening to an interpreter in a compelling original repertoire...
- Dominique Lagarde, Soul Bag, FRANCE, March 2009
Bluesicana CD "James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot, Offbeat, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan 2007
Rue Boogaloo Rue Boogaloo is a new project that combines a quartet of seasoned south Louisiana musicians: guitarist and vocalist Marty Christian, currently a member of legendary pianist Henry Gray's band; veteran bassist Lee Allen Zeno (profiled in LB #215); drummer Frank Kincel, co-producer with Zeno of their debut; and late bassist and harpist Andy Cornett, who also served as Henry Gray's manager. Together they serve up a delicious stew of blues, funk, and zydeco that, at album's end, leaves this listener hungry for more.
Christian's sweet, country-tinged voice glides over the easy shuffle of Know What to Do About You, while Cornett's harmonica style brings to mind Jimmy Reed's. The funky jams Everything's Picking Up and They Tell Me swing with a Meters-style appeal; Talk About It and the instrumental Rue Run are fun dancehall romps. Creeper, My Baby's Sweet Like That, and In the Course of a Night are also, each in their own way, made for dancing - of the slow kind; the latter track features Christian singing in both English and Cajun French. The lovely, gently rolling Special Friend brings the party to an all-too-soon close. Rue Boogaloo is not currently scheduled to tour this year. "We got something so good, Lord, that it hurts this much to lose, " Christian pleads in the wistful Had a Good Run. Here's hoping Rue Boogaloo's run is far from over.
- Melanie Young, Living Blues , August, 2012
Bluesicana CD "James Taylor sometimes deceives himself into thinking he’s got the blues. If Sweet Baby James actually had them—or, more accurately, understood them—he’d probably sound a lot like guitarist Marty Christian, whose debut Bluesicana can’t help but come off genial and uplifting, even in the midst of heartbreak and/or seduction. The 10 originals here (accompanied only by Joseph Edwards’ rubboard) comprise the most jovial blues album to come out of the Sportsmen’s Paradise in many a year. Example? The song “My Mistakes” is all about how Marty can get past them..." - Robert Fontenot, Offbeat, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan 2007
