The Insurrection Blues - New music from Corey Harris

I love the work that Corey Harris does! His musical style is one that blends his New Orleans roots music with Mississippi Delta, Americana, reggae, and other sounds. Since his background began as a busker in the Crescent City, he's become an accomplished solo acoustic act, a gutbucket guitar player with a real earthy and authentic sound.

This new release, The Insurrection Blues, is a thoughtful, quiet introspection on the events he saw unfold on January 6th last year.

It's not over-the-top or in-your-face protest music – Instead, with his beautiful, rich, baritone voice and his thoughtful strumming, picking, and lyrics, there are times you can close your eyes and wonder if you're listening to an artist like the late Richie Havens & rather than Harris.

And while Harris was affected by the insurrection, he doesn’t just dwell on that event on this record. He also explores an African sound and vibe with a piece called "Mama Africa," inspired by the recent year he spent living in West Africa. He has a sweet instrumental on a song called "Afton Mountain Blues," which allows him to put his guitar chops on display as well. The centerpiece of this album – naturally & literally – comes in the middle of the 15 tracks contained here… It’s the title track of the record & is proceeded by “Interlude” which is comprised of actual recordings made on the grounds of the Capitol in Washington D.C. back on that cold day that has been burned into the collective memories of all Americans. The pairing proves to be haunting, harrowing and hopeful all at the same time.

In a recent interview, he said he "felt there was a duty, a responsibility, to use the craft to say something" after seeing video on the insurrection on Twitter moments after it was posted.

"As an African American living in America, as a descendant of slaves that built this country, I am looking at the survival mechanisms that have existed for people to persevere in difficult times," Harris said. "And when we think about that, the blues always comes to mind."

What we have here is a sublime, reflective performance that showcases the talents of an artist who is definitely on top of his game!