Blue Deal – Can’t Kill Me Twice
Hailing from the Black Forest, the Freiburg based Blue Deal may not, as yet, be a major player on the UK and European blues rock scene (although they are no strangers to Scottish and Swiss club venues and a European festival or five), but as one of Germany’s leading blues rock exponents they most certainly have the rep.
Additionally, when you follow impressive debut Holy Ground with the even more impressive Can’t Kill Me Twice, you know you are on to a blues rock winner, one that came top of the German Blues Challenge, leading to invitations for 2024’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the European Blues Challenge in Braga.
In short, Blue Deal, fronted by a veteran of the German blues scene (and ex of the Cadillac Blues Band), Joe Fischer (lead vocals, keys, cigar box guitar, lyricist) and featuring Tom Vela (guitars, vocals), Jürgen Schneckenburger (drums) and Martin Bürger (bass) are also the Real Deal.
2022’s Holy Ground was an accomplished and ear-catching collection of tasty blues rock, but in terms of influences was too on-the-nose in places, especially the Paul Rodgers/ Free/ Bad Company comparisons (some of Fischer’s Rodgers-isms were tribute like, albeit at times intentional, such as the "woah-woh-woah-oh!" 'All Right Now' homage) and the Stevie Ray shuffle style (and sound); and ballad 'Miss You' was as close to a re-write of Whitsnake’s classic version of 'Ain’t No Love in the Heart of The City' as you’re likely to hear.
Can’t Kill Me Twice still nods to some of their inspirations (there’s no arguing that Joe Fischer has a vocal timbre and tonality similar to Paul Rodgers – no bad thing) but lessons have certainly been learned.
This is a band now standing on their own blues shod feet, evidenced right from the one-two get go with the pacey Short Time Runner' and the down-tempo title track.
The former is a short, sharp and vibrant rock 'n' roll boogie that demands opening number attention, while the heavy blues ballad latter, which carries gospel undertones in its organ keyboard backing, features an impassioned but controlled vocal from Joe Fischer and a tasteful solo (and lovely guitar tone) from Tom Vela.
'Hard Times' then eschews the Stevie Ray Texas shuffle style as heard on Blue Deal’s debut for a more rock orientated boogie model, one built on a solid groove from Messrs Schneckenburger & Bürger and featuring a great organ solo from Fischer and a short wah-wah burst from Vela.
Gilded Cage, which follows, is a contemporary hard southern rock influenced highlight, one that packs a helluva lot into its three minutes, including another impressive solo from Tom Vela.
'Seen To Be Believed' slows the tempo to provide the album’s second slow blues moment, and it’s a true highlight, with another great vocal from Joe Fischer and a beautifully toned, Clapton-esque solo from Tom Vela, all playing over a simple but effective rhythm.
Fischer’s voice & Vela’s guitar are also in dovetailing harmony on the outro. Lovely stuff.
The pace is then upped as the band hit top gear on the riff-rocking 'Favorite Mistake.'
Additionally, when you follow impressive debut Holy Ground with the even more impressive Can’t Kill Me Twice, you know you are on to a blues rock winner, one that came top of the German Blues Challenge, leading to invitations for 2024’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the European Blues Challenge in Braga.
In short, Blue Deal, fronted by a veteran of the German blues scene (and ex of the Cadillac Blues Band), Joe Fischer (lead vocals, keys, cigar box guitar, lyricist) and featuring Tom Vela (guitars, vocals), Jürgen Schneckenburger (drums) and Martin Bürger (bass) are also the Real Deal.
2022’s Holy Ground was an accomplished and ear-catching collection of tasty blues rock, but in terms of influences was too on-the-nose in places, especially the Paul Rodgers/ Free/ Bad Company comparisons (some of Fischer’s Rodgers-isms were tribute like, albeit at times intentional, such as the "woah-woh-woah-oh!" 'All Right Now' homage) and the Stevie Ray shuffle style (and sound); and ballad 'Miss You' was as close to a re-write of Whitsnake’s classic version of 'Ain’t No Love in the Heart of The City' as you’re likely to hear.
Can’t Kill Me Twice still nods to some of their inspirations (there’s no arguing that Joe Fischer has a vocal timbre and tonality similar to Paul Rodgers – no bad thing) but lessons have certainly been learned.
This is a band now standing on their own blues shod feet, evidenced right from the one-two get go with the pacey Short Time Runner' and the down-tempo title track.
The former is a short, sharp and vibrant rock 'n' roll boogie that demands opening number attention, while the heavy blues ballad latter, which carries gospel undertones in its organ keyboard backing, features an impassioned but controlled vocal from Joe Fischer and a tasteful solo (and lovely guitar tone) from Tom Vela.
'Hard Times' then eschews the Stevie Ray Texas shuffle style as heard on Blue Deal’s debut for a more rock orientated boogie model, one built on a solid groove from Messrs Schneckenburger & Bürger and featuring a great organ solo from Fischer and a short wah-wah burst from Vela.
Gilded Cage, which follows, is a contemporary hard southern rock influenced highlight, one that packs a helluva lot into its three minutes, including another impressive solo from Tom Vela.
'Seen To Be Believed' slows the tempo to provide the album’s second slow blues moment, and it’s a true highlight, with another great vocal from Joe Fischer and a beautifully toned, Clapton-esque solo from Tom Vela, all playing over a simple but effective rhythm.
Fischer’s voice & Vela’s guitar are also in dovetailing harmony on the outro. Lovely stuff.
The pace is then upped as the band hit top gear on the riff-rocking 'Favorite Mistake.'
Further Blue Deal blue shades are then provided by the old school, harmonica rhythm and blues chug of 'Got 2 Go' and 'Bluecata,' which acts as a short, blues-experimental guitar & harp interlude.
The cleverly lyricised '1942' then steps up to pay homage to one of the greatest ever rock guitarists.
From the opening line ("Nineteen forty-two, born in this west coast city…") and mid-tempo, rock blues arrangement, Jimi Hendrix is paid tribute in fine, cleverly imagined fashion, from the 'Experience' vibe of the song to the six-string nods from Tom Vela and his own, Hendrix homage solo.
The riff-driven 'Stand By,' with a cheeky lyric about being second choice, is best described as AC/DC if they did blues-rock; the album then changes tack once again (mix and match contrast is a sequencing trait) with 'Over,' a melancholic but subtly uplifitn deftly constructed piano led ballad about the parting of the ways.
Joe Fischer is, again, in fine, soulfully crying – and questioning – voice ("Time is a healer, so they say… and I hope that’s true, I've got to find my way").
Recorded, produced & mixed by Tom Vela, Can’t Kill Me Twice has travelled from its Black Forest blues home to announce itself as one of the best blues rock albums of the year.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Blue Deal - confirmed shows for 2024
16th January - International Blues Challenge – Memphis, U.S.A
15th February – MacArts, Galashiels, SCOTLAND
16th February – DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate, SCOTLAND
17th February – Stramash, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
8th March - Schaffhausen, SWITZERLAND
4th to 6th April - European Blues Challenge, Braga, PORTUGAL
27th April - Gator Saloon, Muri AG, SWITZERLAND
May (date TBC) – Bluesfest, Eutin, GERMANY
7th June – BluesClubChiemgau, Rimsting, GERMANY
8th June - Village im Kulturtal Obermühle, Habach, GERMANY
22nd June – Blueswerk, Norderstedt, GERMANY
10th August - Blues & Jazzfestival, Bamberg, GERMANY
17th August - Folk & Blues Festival, Hattersheim, GERMANY
23rd August - Blues, Schmus & Apfelmus, Laubach, GERMANY
12th October – Reithalle, Offenburg, GERMANY
18th October – Bluesgarage, Isernhagen, GERMANY
16th November - Café ART, Königsfeld im Schwarzwald, GERMANY
The cleverly lyricised '1942' then steps up to pay homage to one of the greatest ever rock guitarists.
From the opening line ("Nineteen forty-two, born in this west coast city…") and mid-tempo, rock blues arrangement, Jimi Hendrix is paid tribute in fine, cleverly imagined fashion, from the 'Experience' vibe of the song to the six-string nods from Tom Vela and his own, Hendrix homage solo.
The riff-driven 'Stand By,' with a cheeky lyric about being second choice, is best described as AC/DC if they did blues-rock; the album then changes tack once again (mix and match contrast is a sequencing trait) with 'Over,' a melancholic but subtly uplifitn deftly constructed piano led ballad about the parting of the ways.
Joe Fischer is, again, in fine, soulfully crying – and questioning – voice ("Time is a healer, so they say… and I hope that’s true, I've got to find my way").
Recorded, produced & mixed by Tom Vela, Can’t Kill Me Twice has travelled from its Black Forest blues home to announce itself as one of the best blues rock albums of the year.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Blue Deal - confirmed shows for 2024
16th January - International Blues Challenge – Memphis, U.S.A
15th February – MacArts, Galashiels, SCOTLAND
16th February – DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate, SCOTLAND
17th February – Stramash, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
8th March - Schaffhausen, SWITZERLAND
4th to 6th April - European Blues Challenge, Braga, PORTUGAL
27th April - Gator Saloon, Muri AG, SWITZERLAND
May (date TBC) – Bluesfest, Eutin, GERMANY
7th June – BluesClubChiemgau, Rimsting, GERMANY
8th June - Village im Kulturtal Obermühle, Habach, GERMANY
22nd June – Blueswerk, Norderstedt, GERMANY
10th August - Blues & Jazzfestival, Bamberg, GERMANY
17th August - Folk & Blues Festival, Hattersheim, GERMANY
23rd August - Blues, Schmus & Apfelmus, Laubach, GERMANY
12th October – Reithalle, Offenburg, GERMANY
18th October – Bluesgarage, Isernhagen, GERMANY
16th November - Café ART, Königsfeld im Schwarzwald, GERMANY