If you’re lookin’ for a sound that’s as deep and dark as the murky waters of the Mississippi delta, then you gotta check out The Curse of K K Hammond’s debut album, ‘Death Roll Blues’. It’s a fusion of delta blues and gothic horror that’ll make you feel like you’re sittin’ on the porch of some swamp shack, surrounded by gators and bullfrogs.
Hammond’s resonator slide guitar and mournful vocals are the backbone of this album, and she’s got some damn fine lyrics to match. She takes you on a journey through the darkest corners of the swamp, singin’ about death, murder, and even a little bit of incest. But don’t let that scare ya off – it’s all part of the blues tradition.
Now, there’s eleven tracks on this album, but it all starts and ends with ‘Swamp Thing’. You can hear the sounds of the damn swamp and the guttural roar of the swamp thing itself. It sets the tone for the whole album, and it’s the perfect introduction to Hammond’s unique sound.
And let me tell ya, her slide guitar playing is somethin’ else. It sounds like she’s been playin’ for a hundred years, sittin’ on that porch down in the deep south. She’s a one-woman band, playin’ all the instruments herself and producin’ the whole thing from her home studio in the frontwoods of the UK.
Now, I don’t know what the hell the curse has to do with any of this, but it don’t matter. Hammond’s got a sound that’s authentic as hell, and she ain’t afraid to explore the darkest corners of her mind. She’s a storyteller, a musician, and a damn fine blues artist. So if you’re lookin’ for some down-home slide guitar, foot stomps, and hand claps, then you better give ‘Death Roll Blues’ a listen. Just make sure you keep the damn lights on when you do.