Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Experienced Michigan-based guitarist Englerth, together with bassist Randy Carlson and Matt Larghi on drums, here releases a live album that showcases his band's trademark inventive playing in all its glory. Rather than simply being a powerhouse trio, Englerth and crew have perfected the ability to explore avenues that lead from fairly familiar blues territory into worlds of jazz and ambience with the likes of a straightforward reading of the Buddy and Julie Miller song "Gasoline And Matches" sitting comfortably next to more experimental jazz exposes such as "I Hardly CU" - the latter highlighting Englerth's characteristic guitar playing that smacks of Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck influences whilst retaining an identity all of its own. Generally, the instrumental passages are more satisfying with the likes of "How Do I Love" and the opener "Five Shades Of Black" feeling slightly clunky lyrically although Englerth's earthy vocal delivery and some intriguingly cryptic imagery ensures that these tracks are nonetheless successful. A version of Steve Scott's "Flesh And Blood" reflects Englerth's Christian faith whilst the 24 minute instrumental "Did I Ask Too Much" is a fascinating experimental epic that closes this release and highlights the band's synergy and some innately explorative playing from all three members.

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