Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers
Little Sur CD LSR0004 (2013)
Little Sur CD LSR0004 (2013)
www.nickibluhm.com
Mother Hips multi-instrumentalist Tim Bluhm and his
singer-songwriter spouse Nicki Bluhm have performed together in a variety of
contexts, on Nicki’s two solo albums, as an acoustic duo, and part of
the California country tribute band Brokedown in Bakersfield, but they have
seemingly hit the artistic and popular sweet spot with the Gramblers, who have
moved quickly from relative obscurity to headliner status on the jam band
circuit. The group’s initial, eponymous CD, is an apt showcase of the group’s
strengths. The group’s blend of alt-country, rock, and soulful blues hinges on
on solid, tuneful material most of which was penned by the two Bluhms, singly,
as a duo, or in collaboration with bandmates and friends. Nicki Bluhm’s vocal
range is impressive, sweet and soulful on tracks like the countrypolitan “Hey
Stranger” and the Steve Poltz-penned soul ballad “Check Your Head,” but capable
of a strong, sultry edge on the dramatic murder ballad “Ravenous” and the crunchy rocker
“Little Too Late” that opens the set. The group’s instrumental chemistry is
impeccable, with the solid rhythm section of Mike Curry’s powerful percussion
and the smooth lines of ALO bassist Steve Adams meshing perfectly with Tim
Bluhm’s keyboards and guitars, Deren Ney’s crisp, blues inflected leads, and
Dave Mulligan’s rhythm guitar. Equally strong are the group’s vocals, with
Nicki and Tim easily trading leads on “Always Come Back” and blending smoothly
with Mulligan and Adams on “Deep Water.” With a warmly extroverted stage
presence and a sly wit evidenced by the group’s viral “Van Sessions” youtube
videos, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers seem poised for bigger things, and their
debut album will definitely aid them in that cause.
