KEVIN PURCELL & THE NIGHTBURNERS

Beyond The Storm

Self-Release

By Larry Schara

When you think of the instrumentation in a contemporary blues band, especially a Chicago based blues band, the last thing that comes to mind is a violin. But after listening to Beyond the Storm by Kevin Purcell & the Nightburners it makes perfect sense. The combination of slide guitar, harmonica and violin adds a unique texture and soul to this already emotional music.

Apparently others have also noticed, as Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners represented the Windy City Blues Society at the 2013 International Blues Challenge last year in Memphis. 119 bands were involved in the competition and our Chicago boys beat the tough competition to make it to the final round of 9 bands performing at the famous Orpheum Theatre. Although the Nightburners have been playing locally since the 1970s, they are now garnering well-deserved national attention.

The band’s latest release Beyond the Storm is a collection of songs played at and/or inspired by their trip to Memphis. For the most part, this collection of ten original tunes is a joy to listen to. Excellent arrangements, performance, writing and production flow with a collective smoothness from the speakers.

Jumping to the middle of the CD, tracks 5,6 7 and 8 are really what it’s all about. On track 5 “What They Believe” is a driving blues rock tune where the layered use of slide guitar (Don Laferty), harp (Kevin Purcell) and violin (Andy Ohlrich) results in an extremely powerful and moving arrangement. Track 6, “Lay It On Me”, continues with the same powerful motif and on through the next tune. On track 8, “Calling Me Home,” the use of the violin to move you through the changes is spectacular.

Let’s not forget the rest of the band. With Pete Kruse on drums and Tony Root on bass, the rhythm section is tight and driving. Bill LeClair on keyboards adds just the extra touch that makes this an excellent CD. Produced in the Chicago area by Roger Adler at Adler Studios in Crystal Lake and Jerry Baldy at JR studios in Gurnee, this CD deserves more than just a passing listen. 

And as icing on the cake, Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners will once again be representing Chicago this year at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis on January 21-25, 2014. Good luck guys and show them what it’s all about!

The self released Beyond the Storm can readily be obtained online from both CD Baby and I-Tunes.  More in-depth band and show info can be found at www.nightburners.com

Larry Schara is a 40+ year veteran of the music industry as a musician, engineer and producer with 9 Grammy nominated credits, a couple of gold records and a fond remembrance of working with Ray Charles, B.B. King and Chuck Berry among others.