PREVOST, GREG "STACKHOUSE" - UNIVERSAL VAGRANT (LP)

After four decades in the business, it wasn't until a couple of years ago that Greg Prevost released his solo debut album, the acclaimed "Mississippi Murderer," where Delta blues and high-energy rock and roll came together via the Stones, Yardbirds, and New York Dolls, to name the most obvious influences. Prevost strikes again with an exceptional new work. "Universal Vagrant," his second release, surpasses its predecessor as expected—in fact, those who have already heard the album claim it is by far the best work of his career—and confirms something already well-known: that he is a great songwriter who knows the roots of his music like no other, in addition to possessing one of the coolest voices in this thing called rock and roll. On this album, he continues to pay homage to his heroes and showcases his most seminal influences, from the greats of original Blues (“Moanin' The Blues,” “Mean Red Spider”), to his personal idols, now part of his DNA: Keith Richards and Johnny Thunders (“Gin Soaked Time Warp,” “Shot of Rock and Roll,” or the spectacular gospel-influenced “Lord Shine a Light on Me”), not forgetting the dark and dangerous side of Stooge-style psychedelic punk (“Evil On My Mind” or the incredible version of “Codine”). An album with simply perfect sound and production, brimming with elegant arrangements and an attitude and class that are simply no longer found. A work, like its predecessor, crafted with care and made with friends… but make no mistake, that doesn't detract one iota from its attitude or immediacy. We're talking about a fantastic R&R album with top-notch songs where each and every piece fits together perfectly.