EP review: TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Dirty Work

Facebook [Release date 24.03.23]

Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown’s ‘Shake The Roots’ album released last year was a real treat, mixing blues rock, southern rock, country and rock n roll to great effect. The EP features Tyler Bryant’s wife Rebecca Lovell (Larkin Poe) as a guest vocalist; Tyler recently co-produced Larkin Poe’s album ‘Blood Harmony’ in his Nashville studio.

Opening with the short instrumental ‘Strike’ allows Tyler Bryant to strut his stuff on the guitar, before the hard rocking ‘Burnin’ kicks in. A song that offers a positive lyrical message of persistence, despite obstacles — something that is the epitome of The Shakedown story. As drummer Caleb Crosby said in a recent interview, “We’ve had our music shelved by record companies. We’ve been stranded on highways trying to figure out how we were going to make shows. We’ve had times where we felt like we were banging our heads against the wall. But you keep your head down and keep going. It’s all part of the journey.”

The title track is complete opposite, a mellower affair featuring gentle guitar and Rebecca Lovell on backing vocals. ‘Sho Been Worse’ has a natty blues shuffle, complete with an instant chorus. Therein lies the strength of Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, memorable tunes topped off with the impressive guitar playing of Tyler.

‘Thunder’ is a personal pick of the EP, a slow start before the storm, sorry, song kicks in. The sort of song the Answer or Robert Jon & the Wreck would love to have written I am sure. ‘Fire & Brimstone’ rounds the EP off with a nice ‘n’ easy bit of blues and the guitar is the star on the second part of this song.

Another rewarding and satisfying listen from Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown. More blues focussed than the ‘Shake The Roots’ album. They have plenty of good music in them and this EP just leaves you wanting more from them. Greedy I know but when artists are this good you can never get enough! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)