Kent Burnside is the grandson of Hill Country Blues legend R.L. Burnside and while you can certain ear some of grandpa’s sounds, Kent blends Mississippi Hill Country, Delta, Chicago Blues, and Blues-Rock into a style all his own. After early touring with Jimbo Mathus and opening for Buddy Guy, Kent has built a twenty year career fronting his own band. His newest album, “Hill Country Blood”, was produced by GRAMMY winner Boo Mitchell and it features eight originals plus covers of John Lee Hooker and Junior Kimbrough. This alum is multi-faceted, featuring raw, soulful and high-energy blues. This record certainly manages to honor a rich and meaningful tradition while also forging ahead.
I had the chance to talk with Kent Burnside ahead of the August 19th event in Madison at The Bur Oak along with Ghalia Volt. While his latest record mentioned above has multiple players on it, I was pleased to hear the answer when asking him who is coming with him to Madison. Duo anyone?! Like the old way on a front porch, we talk about what people in Madison can expect. Then we get into how the “Hill Country Blood’ record took it’s shake and we end up discussing two tracks off the album in depth. This is music that you, well I, don’t just hear, it ends up running through and with you and stays a while after you put it down. It was a real nice hang cahtting with Kent and I have a feeling spending time with him live is gonna leave you feeling the same way.
