Description
Trimmed & Burnin’ is the debut album by the American acoustic blues duo of Glenn Kaiser and Darrell Mansfield, released on Ocean Records in 1990, in co-operation with Grrr Records. A follow-up album entitled Slow Burn was released in 1993.
In a day and age, like many before now, when there seems to be very little new under the sun, this warm acoustic blues collection from Christian rock veterans Glenn Kaiser and Darrell Mansfield brings back some delightful old sounds in a fresh and approachable way. Mansfield’s band and Kaiser, in REZ, have both ground out some serious blues-influenced rock and metal over the years, but here it’s a back-to-basics approach – two voices; one acoustic guitar, one harp, and maybe a little slide, dobro or dulcimer to keep things down home.
‘Trimmed & Burnin’ comes from the Blind Willie Johnson song «Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning», which Kaiser and Mansfield serve up here. I usually recall the Hot Tuna version of that song, with Papa John Creach on violin, but the version here adds a depth of spiritual meaning to the story of the maids waiting for the Bridegroom’s return. Four other Johnson traditionals appear, and a couple from Rev. Gary Davis, including this great line from «I Belong to the Band»: “Talk about me just as much as you please/ I’ll talk about you down on my knees.”
Glenn Kaiser fills out about half the record with original numbers that fit in with the traditional blues flavors of the cover. While fans of Mansfield’s and Kaiser’s rock ‘n’ roll may be a bit surprised by the quiet integrity of this blues effort, the patient listener will be drawn in by the music’s honest authority and authentic richness. Sure, it’s not for everyday, but neither is your Sunday best. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, August 1990]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/trimmed-and-burnin-slow-burn/1751955459)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Great Change Since I’ve Been Born” – 3:09
A2. “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burnin'” – 2:50
A3. “Shaky Ground” – 4:19
A4. “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” – 3:05
A5. “Go Tell Pharaoh” – 1:50
A6. “You Got To Move” – 2:16
A7. “In The Light Of The Morningstar” – 2:42
A8. “Celestial Shore” – 4:45
Side Two
B1. “Jesus Is Comin’ Soon” – 3:17
B2. “God Don’t Never Change” – 2:32
B3. “What You Did” – 5:08
B4. “I Belong To The Band” – 3:07
B5. “You Got To Die” – 4:39
B6. “Cornerstone” – 1:30
B7. “We Shall See The King” – 3:57
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Grrr Records. Available at Bandcamp: https://glennkaiser.bandcamp.com/album/trimmed-and-burnin-slow-burn
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