Artist: Andy Juhl
Title: ‘Tales From the Buffalo Blues Stem’
Website: http://www.andyjuhl.com
Style: Folk Rock
Rating: 9 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

Andy Juhl is the guitarist for the progressive rock group the Pharaohs of Rhythm but he also puts out side projects as a solo act. ‘Tales From the Buffalo Blues Stem’ is his second solo release.

Juhl’s music is modern yet harkens back to 60’s folk music with anti-war songs like, “An Unknown Friend” that’s a tale about a burned out solider that’s tired of killing his fellow man. Another is the song, “We Belong to the Earth,” a song dealing with the environment and how through our own selfish desires to always have more we are slowing using up all of the life left in the planet.

Isn’t it ironic, and sad, that these same things that we in the United States were dealing with in the 60’s and 70’s we’re still having to deal with in today’s world.

“We Belong to the Earth” received an honorable mention in the 2008 Independent Singer-Songwriter Association’s songwriting contest. Andy’s also had his music licensed by major networks like, MTV, Lifetime, and Oxygen for use in shows broadcast on them.

I’m sure that Andy gets tired of hearing the comparison of his music to that of Neil Young but it’s uncanny how much his vocals have a sound that feels like he’s channeling Neil Young. Also the harmonica-spiced songs add to that comparison. I guess if you are going to be compared to someone Neil Young isn’t a bad musician to be compared to.

Andy is also a master storyteller that brings each song to life. Even though what he’s singing about is scary at times, somehow you feel like everything will be all right in the end thanks to the assuring tone found on his vocals.

There’s an Americana element added to several of the songs thanks to the banjo parts Andy supplies to the songs. While for the most part the songs are acoustical Andy does offer up several burst of electric guitar on several songs including, “Sense of Direction,” and “Umbrella Man” that gives those songs more of a rock edge.

If artist like, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, and The Band bring a smile to your musical face then Andy Juhl’s ‘Tales From the Buffalo Blues Stem’ is just what you’re looking for.