Charlie Carrozo’s latest solo album Blinded Times finds the storied Worcester band leader expressing a whole different kind of vision than he had been with his previous bands. Here’s Carrozo still has the heart of a rocker while in each of his songs he maintains the keen eye and sensitive soul of a tender singer-songwriter. With the sparse accompaniment of a three piece band behind him, Carrozo offers up a lot of soul laid bare material as true musicianship envelops all that he sings of.
Opening title track “Blinded Times” finds Carrozo singing in a loose folk artist format. He strums his National guitar, strumming up a tuft of thick acoustic, authentic roots sound. Lead guitarist Gary Backstrom picks a sweet, brittle melody that feels as loose as a pedal steel. With that happening beneath his voice, Carrozo merely needs to let loose his fulsome voice of flowing optimism. Even thought the times are challenging, we will all make it through.
Carrozo takes it slow and easy on “I’m Doing Fine.” His world weary lyrics, buttressed by his easeful vocal delivery, travel well over his rustic musical landscape. Taking his time, Carrozo fills more feeling into his song as his voice sweeps far and wide. There are other pleasant touches in this piece. Bass player Lynne Taylor lends her voice to the chorus, giving it a second layer of emotion. Gary Backstrom’s pretty guitar line also his the listener’s sweet spot.
Co-written with Franny Gallagher, “When I Need You Most” moves to a lilting groove. Bass guitarist Lynne Taylor and drummer Charlie Rockwood keep this one politely in the pocket. Backstrom , meanwhile, plays a smoky, smoldering line, one full of emotive punch. Carrozo strums up a lot of rootsy, folksy flavor as he applies his easy going, soulful voice. He sings his heart out, emotion pouring out of his vocal work. The voice and the guitars push forward in a firm and warm manner that makes this song inviting and involving.
Carrozo’s thoughtful lyrics and chirpy vocal make “Closet Friend I Ever Knew” a sensitive think piece about friendship and camaraderie. A hearty, shiny chord progression from his acoustic sews a field of feeling, Meanwhile, Gary Backstrom’s simmering just beneath the surface lead guitar phrase forces the song to burn with a passionate edge.
“I Can See You Fall” makes it way forward with a muscular climb. The listener can feel this piece reaching for higher ground. Carrozo’s plaintive vocal expresses his angst over a daunting experience. His sincerity makes it an authentic song while Gary Backstrom’s emotive lead guitar makes it feel like the song is crying out the matter that tortures Carrozo’s heart.
“Namaste” benefits from a cooing, playful chorus and a brisk Carrozo vocal clip. Carrozo unleashes a lot of vocal charisma when he sings out his tongue twisting litany of hopeful signs. Backstrom’s lively edge on his six string electric keeps this one as pretty as a bird singing while the rhythm section keep it all deeply rooted in a muscular groove.
Carrozo and the other three players finely recreate the post-relationship split on “The Great Divide.” Carrozo adds a melancholy blues to his handsome vocal as he reflects. His sorrow carries well without becoming maudlin. Backstrom’s weepy lead guitar phrase, too, can bring a tear to the eye as this song reminds the listener of many previous splits. It helps to have an understated groove from Rockwood and Taylor. It’s a thick enough rhythm to carry all that’s on top of it while making one feel politely ushered into the heart of the matter.
A massive lyrical expression of love, “Perfect For Me” soothes the soul as Carrozo lists the qualities of the perfect partner to a pleasantly moving musical landscape. Carrozo’s enthusiastic vocal flows with the power of conviction, rising upward in lift, becoming lofty in pureness and emotive grist. Backing vocals fill up space with further exclamations of joy and let us not forget Gary Backstrom’s exuberant lead guitar eruptions, bursts of melodic power that combine perfectly with the other expressions of joy that create motion.
In “Better Days,”Carrozo has successfully written and recorded a love song that praises a past love. Carrozo applies his clear, direct vocal to the emotive task of making the listener appreciate what once was. His simple chorus makes the listener feel the joy he is recalling. Backstrom’s snappy lead guitar lines are tightly packed into whatever spaces are left open. This cements the feeling of a love that is fitted neatly into a fond memory of a lovelier time.
Close out track “Drive Me Home” adds a touch of mystery to this album. While it’s unclear what the singer-songwriter is so downtrodden about, it’s no secret that he’s down and out. Carrozo makes this weepy tale come to three dimensional life with his self-restrained rasp describing his scenes. His rippling acoustic guitar notes give a bluesy sense of loss and also of needing to move on. It’s the quiet moments in this song that make the difference while giving the heartier ones more meat in contrast.
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hill and Hadden Stemp, and mastered by Tim Phillips, Blinded Times has a rich resonance throughout and that acoustic guitar, those vocals, the rootsy grooves, and that buzzing lead guitar sound very authentic, true expressions of the human soul.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6BPaJDGqZP8tev4iVKwIst?si=tu027HR_SUWMN_Hh4I0iaA
