back to paradise

​Various Artists (from the album Back to Paradise available on Horton Records) (by Bryant Liggett)
Oklahoma remains one of the great but overlooked musical states, home to a load of under-the-radar Indie and Roots Rock, the latter celebrated on the Horton Records comp Back to Paradise – A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music. It is a solid collection from Paul Benjaman, John Fullbright, Jesse Aycock, Sarah Frick and more of Tulsa’s Indie A-list, a deep body of work that serves a delicious plateful of country-fried Roots Rock. JJ Cale and Leon Russell may share the state’s biggest musical dude trophy, JJ’s songs worthy of two appearances delivered by Paul Benjaman. “I’ll Make Love to You Anytime” is a groove-heavy opener for Back to Paradise, and “Ride Me High” is delivered up cool and slow. 
Alongside Cale in the Oklahoma musical canon Leon Russell is given special treatment from reigning Tulsa piano man John Fullbright appearing on the funny, folky and acoustic funky “If The Shoe Fits” and returning for “Crossing Over”, a heavenly, more Gospel Rock heavy from local Tulsa hero, Steve Ripley. Charlie Redd and Briana Wright choose not to mess with funk-perfection, presenting a mirrored version of The Gap Band’s “I Yike It” while Sarah Frick captures a 1975-vibe on Dwight Tilley’s “I’m On Fire”. Jacob Tovar’s “I’m Gonna Get to Tulsa” is a boogie number, and John Fullbrights third appearance gives Hoyt Axton’s dirty folk cut “Jealous Man” a Bourbon Street bounce. Back to Paradise is a gateway drug. Solid contributors to what is modern Americana and Roots music, this peek behind Oklahoma’s musical curtain will send any music fan down a wormhole of further exploration of the past and present of Oklahoma’s hot music scene.  (by Bryant Liggett)
 
Listen and buy the music of Back to Paradise from AMAZON
For more information, please visit the Back to Paradise website
 
 
 

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