Halfway Home By Morning - Matt Andersen reviewed by Mr. Bones

In his 10th release, Canadian Matt Anderson provides a stellar sound that should interest anyone who at all digs blues, gospel, soul and swamp pop. It is discoveries like this that keep this DJ going back to the review shelf for more. His oh so powerful pipes (think Nathaniel Rateliff) are deftly complemented by a red hot outfit that gives the Swampers a run for their money. Throw in Nashville's soulful divas, the McCrary sisters, on backing vocals and you've got a release that will warm even denizens of his native New Brunswick. Do your listeners a big favor and give him a spin. There's not a sleeper on this disk.

RIFYL: California Honeydrops, Joe Cocker, Allman Brothers

*1 What Would Your Mama Say - mid-tempo swamp pop (4:40)
*2 Free Man - uptempo funk with great organ & sax work (3:06)
**3 Something to Lose - sublime mid-tempo love song with Amy Helm doing a
beautiful chorus (4:48)
4 The Bed I Made - uptempo toe tapper with funky guitar break (3:38)
**5 Give Me Some Light - downtempo swamp blues featuring his 100 octane
vocals (4:32)
*6 Better Than You Want - uptempo soul/funk with killer break (4:48)
7 Gasoline - uptempo rocker about opening up one's mind to save planet
Earth (2:34)
***8 Over Me - uptempo tempo gospel rocker with the McCrary sisters doing a
bang up chorus (4:30)
9 Help Yourself - uptempo with nice guitar/sax break (3:54)
**10 Long Rider - joyous uptempo gospel rocker about being away too long (3:57)
11 Take Me Back - mid-tempo, about a wayward son who wants to return horn
with a great trumpet break (4:13)
**12 Been My Last - mid-tempo, drop dead beautiful love song with great slide
guitar (3:44)
*13 Quarter on the Ground - downtempo acoustic blues with with great backing
vocals by the McCary Sisters (3:36)

* Mr. Bones especially likes these