Cary Morin has impressed long before his first appearance at the Colorado Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge in 2013. A masterful guitarist, songwriter, and singer, Morin won Colorado’s competition that year and the following, going on to represent CBS at the IBC in Memphis, as a semifinalist both times.
There, Morin performed “Bare Trees,” a captivating and hauntingly beautiful instrumental reminiscent of Otis Taylor. He excels as a solo performer with incredible finger-picking guitar skills that few have. But on Dockside Saints (out August 7) he’s put together a bad-ass group of musicians to back him up, and on “Bare Trees,” Beau Thomas’ fiddle brings tears to your eyes.
“Because He Told Me So” is the album’s tribute to church music, something roots and blues always bring to the front, and Cary does it well, molding his voice to whatever picture his words paint.
“Cary’s Groove” is pure badass, showing off the entire band. Eric Adcock’s keys, Corey Ledet’s accordion, John Fohl and Morin himself on guitars make a powerful mix of blues, rock, jazz, and zydeco.
“Chosen Road” is some of the most beautiful blues ever heard with great lyrics and again that truly haunting quality. “Come The Rain” features an incredible slide guitar that weaves through Morin’s sweet vocals, and ”Exception To the Rule” follows suit with more clever blending of rock, country and masterful vocal delivery. “Jamie Rae” is a fun ride on up-tempo zydeco and cajun with Ledet’s accordion and Beau Thomas’ fiddle filling in the cracks. It’s just good stuff.
Fact is, on Dockside Saints it’s all really good stuff. Throughout, Morin has an amazing ability to mix in a little of just about everything, while staying unique and true to himself. This happens notably on “Valley Of The Chiefs,” in which he honors his Native American Crow background. Via one of the great American artforms, Cary Morin shows us how diversity is both the spice of life and a whole lot of fun.
