Artist:     Nick Schnebelen

Album:     Crazy All By Myself

Label:     VizzTone

Release Date:     03.01.2019

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BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

It seems the “crazy” was actually passed like some kind of musical hemodynamics through his blood, from his forebears. Nick Schnebelen’s great grandfather played in a string band in the 1920s, and his grandparents and parents all worked as professional musicians. In 2000, Schnebelen and his siblings, drummer Kris and bassist Danielle, started Trampled Under Foot. As Kansas City’s pride, the trio made a considerable impact on the blues/rock world at large. Danielle Nicole continues to expand her name, sans her surname.

This is guitarist Nick’s studio debut, following two dazzling live albums that capture him burning up club stages in the Heart of America. Produced by drummer Tony Braunagel and featuring a host of impressive players including two of Braunagel’s Phantom Blues Band mates, Crazy All By Myself makes for an uncompromising hour of massive, blues-based grooves. Schnebelen presents two contrasting but well-blended images of himself. For “It Ain’t Me,” he snarls out the lyrics, pulling hard on his guitar while riding the band’s fat bottom, anchored here by the bass of the great Reggie McBride. The funky soul of it brings to mind Doyle Bramhall II and his work in the Arc Angels. But when the rockabilly-driven “Ain’t Got Time for The Blues” hits the bricks, the stylishness of early Tommy Castro gleams, coinciding with the chic photo on the album’s cover.

As a writer, Schebelen covers the usual fare, all in conjunction with several important partners like Nashville’s Dave Duncan. Duncan’s biker anthem, “I’m a Fatboy,” rolls nice and greasy. Schnebelen’s rubbery tone and loose fingers there alone explain his winning of The Blues Foundation’s Albert King Award for Best Guitarist. “Soul Magic”—just as smooth as it sounds—and Delbert McClinton’s witty and animated “Monkey Around” come off the most natural of all. Nick Schnebelen’s way with being natural, and his obvious talent, could work out quite well for him.

—Tom Clarke