REVIEW: Kentucky Bridgeburners - 'Hail Jesus'

Artist: Kentucky Bridgeburners
Album: Hail Jesus
Released: December 2011
Available: Slinging Pig Records

While the worldwide Pussy Posse continues to wait for a follow up to 2009's From Hell To Texas (reissues, live albums both old & new notwithstanding), Nashville Pussy ringleader Blaine Cartwright has quietly been cranking out the most creative, and arguably, the most accessible, material of his long songwriting career. First came the criminally under the radar final Nine Pound Hammer album Country Classics. Then came the, as of yet unreleased, fantastic new Southern Rock outfit Buzzard. And most recently, in what no doubt comes as a surprise to many Nashville Pussy fans, the heartfelt straight up gospel record Hail Jesus from yet another new band called Kentucky Bridgeburners.

As a long time unabashed Nashville Pussy and Nine Pound Hammer fan I, of course, look forward to anything Blaine puts out. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Blaine Cartwright, in my opinion, is the best songwriter since Bon Scott. That being said when word leaked of a gospel record I was a bit wary. Not 'cause I didn't think he could pull it off but mainly 'cause gospel music is not at all in my wheelhouse. I like and appreciate a wide range of music - much wider than the rock & blues you're accustomed to hearing on the FatCat Radio playlist - but yeah.. gospel music?! Um, normally NOT for me. I mean I love Johnny Cash but I don't have any of his "Jesus music" in my personal collection. So it was with a bit of trepidation when I first listened to the Kentucky Bridgeburners unmastered demos last August. It took exactly one go thru for me to be converted. (pun intended). I was blown away and couldn't wait to be able to share it with our listeners. It was a loooong wait until FatCat Radio had the honor of being the 1st internet station to air tracks from Hail Jesus in November prior to the official release date last month.

Recorded at Nitrosonic in Lexington KY, Hail Jesus features Nine Pound Hammer members Earl Crim on guitars and Rob Hulsman on drums. Todd Gorrell plays bass. Erin Reynolds contributes backing vocals. Appearing as 'Special Guest' is Ruyter Suys on keyboards and guitars. Ruyter more than holds her own as she joins Blaine on their first recorded duet on the Staples cover "Don't Knock" - one of my personal favorites on the album. The track list is roughly half covers and half Cartwright originals including my choice for best track 'Look It Up In The Bible'. If you're a fan of Nashville Pussy you know Blaine has touched on religion more than a little bit in several of his lyrics but Hail Jesus is nothing like you've heard from him before. No cynicism, no funny word play. This is a full on "Pro Jesus" album but I'll be damned if it doesn't kick all kinds of ass. Setting aside the subject matter this album flat out rocks. As for the music itself there's a strong Stones vibe, with plenty elements of R&B and punk as well.

If you're skeptical that the "Go Motherfucker Go" guy can do gospel right let me say one last thing about Hail Jesus. If it can make this fervently non religious AC/DC & Motorhead lovin' heathen find himself humming things like "We can argue in darkness or let Jesus shed some light" or "I ain't gonna put Jesus on the backburner no more. No more!" to himself during the day at work, you know it's a winner! Those with a little more churchin' in their background won't have the whole genre bias thing to overcome and will be able to appreciate Hail Jesus simply for what it is... an excellent new gospel album.

Bottom line: Holy music that'll make you say "holy shit this rocks!" Well done Brother Blaine.


5 out of 5 cat heads



5=Excellent | 4=Very Good | 3=Decent | 2=Pretty Bad | 1=Garbage

Track Listing
1. Hail Jesus
2. Don't Knock
3. Look It Up In The Bible
4. You Got To Move
5. Keep The Faith
6. Scream The Devil Away
7. We All Know What Jesus Did
(But What Did You Do)
8. Lord Here I Am
9. They Laid Jesus Christ In His Grave
10. Go In Peace


Click on the cross for purchase info