THE VOODOO SHEIKS – Voodification [Deluxe Edition] (2018)

British four-piece THE VOODOO SHEIKS musical premise is simple; classic rock with a bluesy foundation and tons of shuffle, funky rhythms to have a good rockin’ time. The band are releasing their third album, but alongside, a re-release of their second CD “Voodification” in a Deluxe Edition with new songs on it. We have chosen the latter to be featured here, because it’s more complete and represents The Voodoo Sheiks in all its facets.

Opening with ‘The Thrill Ain’t Gone’, with deep moody bass clash of cymbals harp and the beat picking up before the vocals, this is classic blues rock with a punch and clever lyrics.
The Voodoo Sheiks shake-it up with energy that has a live feel in this their second album and amongst the mix of tones the tempo is always up, at places with influences from pub rock.
By the time the keyboards from special guest Paul Johnson kicked in on ‘Flying Fortress’ I was into the groove and The Voodoo Sheiks approach to Rhythm & Blues is clear.

This is a four-piece that wants to play their music in a style that is loyal but not constrained by any genre. They have a British approach in the instrumentation, as heard in the slow ‘Exit Wound’, giving time for the music to shape around the distinctive Slowblow Dave Magson’s vocals who has a timbre that counteracts the guitar work from Adrian Thomas.
The rhythm section is the powerhouse of the band driving the songs along spitting out a stylish beat. Often it is Andy Pullin’s bass that provides the hook for the vocals as on ‘Negative Equity Blues’.

‘Show and Tell’ is full of classic organ / keyboards swirl, plus wha-wha guitar effect and whiskey-soaked vocals to make this one a classic rocker with some Bad Company on it.
The harp / vocals from Slowblow Dave and the driving guitar will definitely get people up and dancing whenever they hear ‘New Boogie Disease’, with John Coombes drums kicking the beat you just have to boogie the night away.

In ‘Monkey DNA’ we are treated to a duet of harp and drums at the beginning which works so well for me, this is a track that epitomizes the power of The Voodoo Sheiks style and approach to music. Picking up with a jiving bass driven beat and a monkey at the heart a common animal for many a blues album; this is music that definitely isn’t monkeying around; with lots of guitar, harp and music form the quartet.
This Deluxe Edition of “Voodification” includes new tracks, such as the rocker ‘Spirit’ plenty of guitar solos, the catchy ‘Lone Star Groove’ (indeed plenty of funky groove), or the catchy ‘Lucky So & So’.

“Voodification” is definitely full of energy and very good musicianship from The Voodoo Sheiks, an indie band which managed to capture the essence of British classic rock here, and a band I would love to see alive at a crowded pub.
The result is a driving, live sound produced and recorded over four days in a studio, from a band in a hurry to put you under their spell and make “Voodifcation” a household word for pub rocking infused blues.
True, authentic rock n’ roll – Great stuff.

01 – The Thrill Ain’t Gone
02 – Have a Heart
03 – Flying Fortress
04 – Exit Wound
05 – New Boogie Disease
06 – Shred of Truth
07 – Negative Equity Blues
08 – Show and Tell
09 – Monkey DNA
10 – Spirit
11 – Lone Star Groove
12 – Lucky So & So
13 – Bitter (And Then Some)
14 – I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog That Way

Adrian Thomas (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Slowblow Dave Magson (Vocals, Harp)
Spencer Blackledge (Drums)
Andy Pullin (Bass)
Paul Johnson (guest Keyboards)

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