Search - Michael Powers :: Prodigal Son

Do Yourself a Favor and Get This

Arthur Shuey | Wilmington, NC USA | 10/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Refreshing and a relief, Michael Powers does put the old clay to new uses. His originals are just that, ORIGINAL, leaning on anthem ambience. His covers don't sound like the originals, so there's a reason to listen to them. He sounds as happy to play acoustic guitar as electric, and he's receptive to all sorts of accompaniment, which is a good match for listeners' ears. He's as funky as Stax and as much fun as a rerun of the Blues Brothers movie.



It is apparent that, while absorbing the foundational songs of the blues, he formed images of the characters who'd created those songs as well. It is a wonderful thing and a sign of deserved musical stature when an artist is thorough in that way. This is a thoroughly enjoyable, must have release"

Fabulous recorded, astounding live!!

Kyle Barnes | Portland, ME | 04/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so happy to run across Michael Powers again. My first experience of Michael Powers was in 1992 when I visted Bleeker Steet for the first time and wandered into a bar named Terra Blues. I went in because I heard some incredible blues guitar and thought it was a rare and fabulous Hendrix performance I had never heard.



Nope, it was a man with a strat playing like I imagine angels play for God. Just a man and a guitar, and I was hearing choruses of angels.



He was playing an original titled "Graffiti" and it was played with such passion and heart that I was nailed to the floor by the intense feeling it invoked in me. It was like hearing Jimi play "Little Wing" or "Angel"; live from ten feet away.



I sat down; it was lunch time and there was no one in the bar but me and the bartender. Michael was playing for himself, full intensity and all stops pulled out. I had, and to date have never, seen such virtuoasity. Although Hendrix was, and is, my guitar hero, I missed seeing Hendrix live by a year. It wasn't just Michael's obviuos mechanical skills, the emotional content was rich and palpable. The right note at the right time for the right feeling.



When Michael finished with "Graffiti", I commented, "I bet you could tear hell out Jimi's 'Spanish Castle Magic'." And so, to my great pleasure, Michael did a set of Hendrix tunes mixed with a few originals.



I sat with my eyes closed and feet propped up on the little stage thinking to myself that this must have been what is was like to hear Hendix play at Cafe Wha?. Or even better, to hear Jimi play in his apartment whe he played for himself. It was one of the most incredible 60 minutes of my life.



One guy and one guitar.



Michael Powers channels Hendrix, but with his own original flair and style. I can say that Prodigal Son does the same thing to me now as the times I heard him play at Terra Blues. I close my eyes and imagine a small stage, a pint of guinness, and a broken heart.



I peeked every now and then to watch his fingers. As a wanna-be guitar player, I figured I would learn something. No Way! He was all over the neck. Scales, arpeggios, tripps, you name it, he did it. And all with a wonderful timing that showed Father Time was not the boss of him.



I've seen some great music in the Village: Iggy Pop, Joe Walsh, Leslie West, David Tronzo, Rick Derringer, Chris Whitley, Jill Sobule, Susan Said, Mary Me Jane, Chris Glenn, etc., but this intimate, private concet by Michael Powers stands out among these other powerful performances.



Great music, incredible talent, and raw soul. [...]."