| CD REVIEW The Judge Band |
 |
|
Band : The Judge Band Not a lot of info available on the artist known as “The Judge”, except what's available on the band's website (www.) thejudgeband...so here's what I've filtered from that. Behind the nickname is a man named Tim Shanks, whom started his career in music at the age of 7, singing alongside his sister in his family's traveling Gospel band. Eventually however, he was thrown out of the family business because he was constantly fighting with his sister to get center stage attention. From the age of 16 onward, he's performed in several different Rock bars of his hometown Detroit. Shanks got his nickname from his longtime drummer friend Chris Davis (right after the band had recorded the single “the Judge”, Davis would simply call out to him that way every time they met...and the nickname stuck), and together with bassist/ producer Miguel Gonzalez (whom the duo of Shanks & Davis “found” on a venture off to Miami), you've got the makings of a band! Following the Rock 'n' Roll style of life, Shanks was eventually stopped on the road while driving under the influence of alcohol, and as part of his “redemption”, had to follow a victim impact class. The video he was shown there truly opened his eyes to the folly of his former ways, and inspired the writing of “Williams Song”, which is about the tragic death of one William Rich, whose life was cut short by a drunk driver. Soon enough, the boy's parents got news about Shanks' performing of the song, and they eventually contacted him to show their thanks in keeping their son's name alive. Shanks claims that he will continue to use William's death as a means to steer away from drugs and alcohol! Obviously, Shanks uses his songs' lyrics as a reaction to things happening in his life. For example, the song “Better Man” is meant to try and make a mends with people he's wronged. A song Shanks is particularly partial to, is the balladesque “Goodbye”, its topic about the loss of a love. As his musical template, The Judge uses a classic heavy Blues Rock (with occasional steps toward semi-ballads, and an all-out heavier track as well – check “Suck”), but I regret having to report that the album will probably be far more interesting than the man's live performances, seen as one cannot play rhythm and lead/ solo guitar at the same time (meaning, there's been some overdubs here). Of course, as far as the album itself goes, the fan of this kind of music is gonna love what (s)he's gonna find here! Vocally, The Judge has occasionally been compared to Tom Waits, but while he indeed has a somewhat hoarse type of singing voice, I personally feel he's an octave upward removed from thàt, for sure! I wish whom was the soulful lady backing singer contributing backings to “Better Man” and the overall calmer “Take Me Back”. To finish the album, the band does their Heavy Rock version of “Amazing Grace” (you know, the US' national anthem they always play at the beginning of big league baseball events)...great, except for the vocals, which are too fragmented to allow a good flow of the song (you know, that song needs a singer to drag out the lyrics with sustained vowels...if you get my drift?). Regretfully, finding only one info source also means there's just the one source to direct you to for your introduction to The Judge Band's music, and if you'll be kind enough to surf to the aforementioned web address (see top of page), you'll be able to view a live video version of “The Judge”. People who're on the iTunes thing may be able to hear samples of more songs. Not being hooked into that type of thing, I got no access to the album's page (or failed to find my way) and cannot therefore tell you anything more! Push comes to shove, this is a nice album for a debut, and perhaps it might've done far better (as far as my rating of it goes) had it come out some 20 years ago! 80/100 Tony. |