THE DIN - March 14 - March 21, 2001

THADDEUS HOGARTH

Trying to Believe

Massachusett's own Thaddeus Hogarth takes his listeners on a one-way trip to the 1970s with his second album Trying To Believe. 

Former front man of the Heavy Metal Horns, Hogarth emulates the music of Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder through ten original tracks. The mood of the album varies from melodic ballads like "Thank You" to the down and dirty funk licks of  "Cold Shack", but the seventies sound is ever present. 

Backed by bassists David Buda and percussionist Joey Scrima, Hogarth rounds out a full ensemble by playing acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, and chromatic harmonica. Hogarth's greatest instrumental moments include the Santana-inspired guitar solo on the bossa nova "Back Street", the brilliant jazz harmonica on "The Way I Like It", and the syncopated jazz organ of  "That Was Yesterday". He also sings up to four parts on a number of tracks where his gospel influence is clearly heard. An acoustic blues tune concludes the album, and Hogarth's touching lyrics, plodding beat, and mournful harmonica give ample recognition to the blues roots of funk. The album's one flaw is that the solos are too short, but this problem is easily corrected by seeing this funk master perform live.

(Spinning Records) www.thaddeushogarth.com and www.spinningrecords.com.

-- Erik D. Carlson

Thaddeus Hogarth plays the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain this Friday, March 16.