EP Review: Fat Jeff - Heavy Lonesome Blues
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
As it usually the way, I’ll pick certain artists to review on the strength of their name or type of genre, but this one really intrigued me because of the title, “Heavy Lonesome Blues”. Upon reading the press brief, it said it was for fans of Kadavar and Seasick Steve, so I was already onto a winner with this one.
The most surprising thing about Fat Jeff, and his unique brand of fuzz infused guitar is that he doesn’t come from Appalachia or Memphis, Tennessee, but the mountainous and forested hills of the Doubs region of France. The one-man band combines his wonderful guitar skills with a tambourine and a bass drum, to create 4 songs that are distinctively bluesy and laced with an essence of 90’s grunge, whilst remaining fresh and enchanting.
The bottleneck slide sounding wonderment begins with “Welcome Stranger” as that big bass drum comes through loud and clear. The fuzzy warm tones pour out, and the raw energy produced gives it that hypnotic quality. As Fat Jeff himself comments, working as a solo artist is “a way to push boundaries and have complete control over the creative process” and if he continues this way, then nobody is going to complain.
“Identical to None” is one hell of a song, a foot stomping, head tapping moment of genius, that left me nodding along appreciatively. It’s so simple but so effective, that dabbles with a heavier stoner rock-based riff on a slightly detuned guitar sound. Yet, it is dripping in that unmistakenly bluesy sound that creates a wonderfully atmospheric composition.
In these songs you’ll hear subtle nuances, with keyboards and acoustic guitars playing a significant role, as Fat Jeff went to isolate himself in a cabin in the Bourgogne forest to write these tracks. “A Nice Dead Person” is intimate and personal, as he delves into his past, but you are hit with some boogie woogie alongside the melody. The fulsome and captivating riffs are ones he’s had in his collection for some time, and now they are being let free for our audible delight.
“I Would Like to Heal You” is a bit more sobering and solemn, allowing the guitar to speak to the listener. With hints of melancholy, it reflects the atmospheric moodiness of the EP which allows the sincerity of the music to permeate through before the keyboard inspired power kicks in later. Just as you think it’s over, we are gifted a bonus track from 2024, “Fly High” which was the inspiration behind “Heavy Lonesome Blues” as it laid the foundations for a step forward in terms of production and analogue recording. Its yet another awesome song and long may Fat Jeff continue in this vain.
