New John Nemeth CD: 'Love Me Tonight'

That young blues wizard with a very old soul, John Nemeth, he of the Magic Touch (his very, very fine previous album), has a brand new CD out today: "Love Me Tonight" (Blind Pig Records).

Nemeth is a hip young singer-songwriter-harpmaster with an uncanny feeling for old blues and soul, and a classic style that belies his 31 years, as well as his background in Boise, Idaho. He creates his own music, rolling it out of his soul sounding like it's just arrived form the deep, dark blues ages. His writing captures the essence of great old bluesy soul.

He pairs tough, gritty vocals with a sharp ear for what makes a song work, and how to work it. His harp playing is equally tough, but it's the voice that grabs you. Where "Magic Touch" tended to be soulful, "Love Me Tonight" tends to be sharper, with a little more blues edge.

The man just has great pipes for this music -- whether he's furiously wailing on the dangerous "Daughter of the Devil," or moaning hard in the upper registers on the soaring "Blues in My Heart." And everywhere in between. He croons and shouts, caresses and punches his way through the music, all with passion and sensitivity. In fact, the passion is what gives Nemeth's music its power. Listen to the soulful smoothness of "My Troubled Mind," or hard-driving groove on the title track.

Nemeth gets considerable backing from his touring band and a few others here, including guitarist Elvin Bishop on "Country Boy" and "Daughter of the Devil." But you get the feeling that Nemeth could put on a powerhouse performance with nothing but his harp -- and that great voice.This is tough, bluesy, soulful music from one of the best young singers around. Here's an audio clip of the title track. 

If you get the idea that I'm a fan, you're very right. I've enjoyed both these CDs. I enjoyed his show at the Thunderbird Cafe last year. And I enjoyed talking to him for this interview and at the T-Bird.

Here's a YouTube video of Nemeth singing "She Did Not Show." The sound is a little muddy, but it's one of my favorite Nemeth songs, from the "Magic Touch" CD.