Quinn Sullivan – Salvation
American musician Quinn Sullivan started life as a blues guitar prodigy (an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show when only 6; a guest appearance on Buddy Guy’s Skin Deep album at 9 years old (Guy would become Sullivan’s mentor); releasing his first album Cyclone a few months short of his 12th Birthday).
More importantly, the once prodigy has quickly and assuredly developed into a consummate player and musically broader performer as a young man, heard to fine effect on 2021's crossover pop/ soul-blues album Wide Awake and the now 25 year old's latest, and fifth, studio album, Salvation, a heady and mature blend of blues & blues rock, funk and soulful pop.
Toxic relationship number 'Dark Love' surprises by opening with a glam inspired claps & drums pattern before giving way to a mid-tempo blues shuffle with an infectious melody part, with young Mr Sullivan providing some excellent vocals and a fiery guitar solo.
Following number 'Salvation (Make Me Wanna Play)' is an AOR tinged funk-blues tour de force (with a melodically cool middle 8) that’s not a million miles away from some of Lenny Kravitz’s material.
Quinn Sullivan’s wah-wah driven solo bursts further boost the funk quotient.
The rattling beat of 'Rise Up Children' leads to a southern, country rock hoedown (complete with some great slide/ steel work) while 'Don’t Wanna Die Today' is a breezy, up-tempo rocker aimed four-square at FM/ AOR radio stations across the USA. The latter also comes complete with another great solo and some very good vocal parts (both of which remind of early Doobie Brothers).
The poppier funk blues of 'Once Upon a Lie' is even more radio friendly, bolstered by a great hook chorus, another cool middle 8 and call & answer guitar solos (cool jazz followed by a rockier burst).
'Better In Love' is a laid back ballad led by acoustic guitar parts with some electric flourishes. It’s also a song that underlines Quinn Sullivan (whose vocal excels in this number) is as comfortable and adept at delivering radio friendly pop-blues as he is weightier rock blues.
The Dire Straits meets Latin blues of 'Leave No Love Behind' is similarly framed for AOR success, with a production and execution that’s pretty much flawless.
'I Can’t Stay (And You Can’t Go)' is a shuffle styled groover with an insistent octave/ fifth riff figure.
Some subtle but effective B3 and blues piano is added to the mix, while Quinn Sullivan adds some spice with a solo that demonstrates he is developing his own, impressive style.
'Nothin’ Gonna Change My Mind' is another slice of impressive funk-blues pop including some brass stabs and a chorus reminiscent of both Prince and Kid Creole; it also features yet another excellent middle 8 part (a true strength and trait of the album).
Like the light and airy 'Better In Love,' Quinn Sullivan’s vocals on back-to-back ballads 'Eyes On Me' and 'Half My Heart' do not disappoint.
On the more soulfully shaped former, Sullivan’s guitar solo is filled with emotion yet never overplayed (something many other guitarists could learn from); the latter benefits from having that 'timeless ballad' sound and a familiar/ resonant melody, along with some great guitar play that continues on the song’s all-too-quick fadeout.
Final/ bonus number 'Eyesight to the Blind' features a repetitive but effective riff driving the song along. Interestingly, when Sullivan cuts loose with some wicked licks on the guitar, you are reminded of a younger Joe Bonamassa, when he was still hungry for success.
Salvation is a very strong, impressively performed, crossover album; one that showcases a singer-songwriter-guitarist who has progressed from being a genuine prodigy to a genuine player. In both senses.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Salvation will be released on June 7th on Provogue/ Mascot Label Group
More importantly, the once prodigy has quickly and assuredly developed into a consummate player and musically broader performer as a young man, heard to fine effect on 2021's crossover pop/ soul-blues album Wide Awake and the now 25 year old's latest, and fifth, studio album, Salvation, a heady and mature blend of blues & blues rock, funk and soulful pop.
Toxic relationship number 'Dark Love' surprises by opening with a glam inspired claps & drums pattern before giving way to a mid-tempo blues shuffle with an infectious melody part, with young Mr Sullivan providing some excellent vocals and a fiery guitar solo.
Following number 'Salvation (Make Me Wanna Play)' is an AOR tinged funk-blues tour de force (with a melodically cool middle 8) that’s not a million miles away from some of Lenny Kravitz’s material.
Quinn Sullivan’s wah-wah driven solo bursts further boost the funk quotient.
The rattling beat of 'Rise Up Children' leads to a southern, country rock hoedown (complete with some great slide/ steel work) while 'Don’t Wanna Die Today' is a breezy, up-tempo rocker aimed four-square at FM/ AOR radio stations across the USA. The latter also comes complete with another great solo and some very good vocal parts (both of which remind of early Doobie Brothers).
The poppier funk blues of 'Once Upon a Lie' is even more radio friendly, bolstered by a great hook chorus, another cool middle 8 and call & answer guitar solos (cool jazz followed by a rockier burst).
'Better In Love' is a laid back ballad led by acoustic guitar parts with some electric flourishes. It’s also a song that underlines Quinn Sullivan (whose vocal excels in this number) is as comfortable and adept at delivering radio friendly pop-blues as he is weightier rock blues.
The Dire Straits meets Latin blues of 'Leave No Love Behind' is similarly framed for AOR success, with a production and execution that’s pretty much flawless.
'I Can’t Stay (And You Can’t Go)' is a shuffle styled groover with an insistent octave/ fifth riff figure.
Some subtle but effective B3 and blues piano is added to the mix, while Quinn Sullivan adds some spice with a solo that demonstrates he is developing his own, impressive style.
'Nothin’ Gonna Change My Mind' is another slice of impressive funk-blues pop including some brass stabs and a chorus reminiscent of both Prince and Kid Creole; it also features yet another excellent middle 8 part (a true strength and trait of the album).
Like the light and airy 'Better In Love,' Quinn Sullivan’s vocals on back-to-back ballads 'Eyes On Me' and 'Half My Heart' do not disappoint.
On the more soulfully shaped former, Sullivan’s guitar solo is filled with emotion yet never overplayed (something many other guitarists could learn from); the latter benefits from having that 'timeless ballad' sound and a familiar/ resonant melody, along with some great guitar play that continues on the song’s all-too-quick fadeout.
Final/ bonus number 'Eyesight to the Blind' features a repetitive but effective riff driving the song along. Interestingly, when Sullivan cuts loose with some wicked licks on the guitar, you are reminded of a younger Joe Bonamassa, when he was still hungry for success.
Salvation is a very strong, impressively performed, crossover album; one that showcases a singer-songwriter-guitarist who has progressed from being a genuine prodigy to a genuine player. In both senses.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Salvation will be released on June 7th on Provogue/ Mascot Label Group