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DEBUT CD: Copies now available - click here to order!
Review Quotes:
"Help! I’ve fallen in the mud, and I can’t get up. I am not calling for rescue; I am calling for company! Join me, neck-deep-in-love with the slide guitar opening, rocking rhythm, two six string mid-song solos, and angelic vocals from the Mud Angels’ debut album’s first track, "Derailed." The album is a wealth of vocal and guitar melodies, performed by front woman Laura "Torch" England and lead guitarist Kenny Cobb. Laura England is the real star in this tone-rich, guitar-driven outing. The timbre of her voice instantly calls one’s attention away from even an interesting task, and she is wonderfully versatile across varying styles, emotions, intensities, and ranges. Her comely looks put the peanut butter square in the middle of this chocolate bar. England also shines as a songwriter; she crafted all of her vocal melodies, most of the lyrics, and some of the song structures. It is Cobb, the band’s newest member, who provides the stylistic adhesion that pulls together the tightness of the core and vocals with crafty fretboard fireworks to create their full and rousing sound.
The Mud Angels released A Bolt From the Blue in February 2008. The record includes 12 original tunes with a variety of styles coming from having three writers in the band, Laura England, Kenny Cobb and Jackson. The record showcases many moods, like slow, sexy numbers "You Sang My Note," "Bring Color Back," and "River Landing." "Kiss Me Slow" is downright sensual while "You Say I'm Picky" exudes sassy confidence. "On My Side" finds England chastising a selfish lover for soured love, but singing sweet devotion on "I Gotta Know." "Tell Me Where We're Going" and "It's Late" are flat out, catchy-guitar-hook, rocking blues. Jackson takes a turn at vocals on his edgy and bitter lyrics found in "Politics." But, for a fun oddity, try the 90-miles-per-hour Rock and Rolling ode to sweet summer fruit, "Summer Tomatoes." How many varieties of love apples can you name? There are no less than 21 types are listed in the lyrics."
"Splendid!"
James "Skyy Dobro" Walker, noted Blues writer (full review here)
"Nashville's embrace of twangy pop acts that keep a governor on the country side of the equation ought to be a boon for blues-rockers like Mud Angels. While the Madison-area quintet has recorded some simmering blues grooves on their new album, A Bolt from the Blue, it kicks up the most dust on up-tempo tunes that give lead singer Laura England and the band's two guitarists a chance to display some carefully modulated aggression."Derailed" may have been crafted for the barroom, as it nails that steady rolling 4/4 beat that's guaranteed to fill the floor at local taverns and dance halls. But the North Carolina-bred England's potent expression of romantic infatuation and an oily curlicue of a slide guitar hook pull Mud Angels to the very border of pop-country territory. Pump up the Southern-rock factor with a dobro break and few more dirty guitar tracks, and country ingenue Miranda Lambert could slip it directly into her set list without anyone raising an eyebrow. Even in its current form, "Derailed" is exactly the sort of contemporary blues tune that's apt to catch the ears of folks who never knew they were blues fans."
Tom Laskin, Isthmus music writer (full review here)
"I have been waiting with great anticipation for the release of the Mud Angel's debut CD. If you are looking for quality, talent... music that will bring you back over and over again to listen to, then look no further. The Mud Angels will take you on a journey of passion, steam, sultry madness, toe tapping, finger pickin', hip swaying and groovin' all wrapped up into one tiny package. I can say without a doubt this CD will pass the test of time and it will be a frequent favorite on your play list. Highly recommend!"
-Ellen Paulson, fan (full review here)
"Lead vocalist Laura "Torch" England really lights up the band’s new CD, with a bluesy voice ranging from passionate to driving to sensual. That’s a great quality for an independent band trying to take things to the next level, as the songs on A BOLT FROM THE BLUE offer listeners a breadth of sounds rarely contained on a single disc--with England’s voice bringing unity to the project. At times sensual ("Kiss Me Slow") and at times sounding similar to Nora Jones ("You Say I’m Picky" and "River Landing") and at other times edgy, the project is suitable for either playing in the background while either working out or while making out. Besides England’s vocals, another aspect that really shines on this album is the Kenny Wayne Shepherd-styled guitar work. The extended guitar solos on "Bring Color Back" never get old, complementing the vocals in a way that brings the hopeful message of the song out even stronger."
-Jeff Stiles, music writer
"Your attention is grabbed right away with a great slide intro in the opening song, "Derailed," and when Laura starts singing you know you are in for a treat. This cd is stacked with great songs." Click here for full review in Dutch!
- Rootstime.be, a blues-roots webzine in the Netherlands
"This album is really terrific and it is in constant rotation on my iPod. If you like blues-rock you owe it to yourself to check these guys out."
-Dave Newton, music photographer (more comments here)
"With their Opening track "Derailed" and closing track "Summer Tomatoes," even the non-blues fan will be converted. Mud Angels features a lead vocalist with a nice appearance who also has tremendous vocal cords and a pair of guitar players who got the mustard from Kenny Wayne Shepperd, The Allman Brothers band and Derek & the Dominoes. The friendly, racy and bluesy invitation "Kiss Me Slow" we would accept willingly. The record traverses clearly many moods. Songs like "You Sang My Note," "Bring Color Back," "River Landing" and "I Gotta Know" belong to the slowly sexy blues. "You Say I'm Picky" and "On My Side" more to urgent while "Tell Me Where We're Going," "Politics," and "It's Late" more belong the to rocking blues. There is something for everybody on this disc. It would not surprise me when Laura "Torch" England & the Mud Angels in the future would be concurrents for the artists they have covered in the past. Thanks, Laura ... and Kiss me Slow!" Click here for full review in Dutch!
-Francois Braeken, music writer for Rootsville in Belgium
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Derailed
My train’s been heading down this track
And I never even thought of looking back
So sure of where this path would take me
And all wrapped up in the scenery
My engine’s stoked, it’s been a smooth ride too
Until I ran full speed into you
Chorus
And you derailed me, you knocked me off my track
Yeah you derailed me, now I’m all out of whack
This crash is severe, you know you’ve got me reeling
All of a sudden I don’t know what I’m feeling
My wheels are spinning round and round and round
But I’m not moving at all ‘cause they don’t touch the ground
That’s OK, I don’t know which way to go
Should I follow you or head for the next depot?
My engine never failed me, was tried and true
Until I ran full speed into you
Chorus
Bridge
And then you ask me to come aboard
You ask me to come along with you
And then you ask me to come aboard
You tell me this is where I belong
Guitar lead
Bridge
Chorus
Kiss Me Slow
Kiss me slow, oh baby kiss me slow
The way you love me baby, oh you give me vertigo
Come on and love me baby, ‘til your love is all I know
Pull me close, oh baby pull me close
I’ve got a craving for you baby, from my head down to my toes
Come on and love me baby, you’re the one I want most
Bridge
Cause you know just what I want, and you know just what I need
When you’re loving me baby, my heart feels like its been freed
I can’t stop thinking about you, your love makes me glow
Won’t you pull me close, hold me tight, and baby kiss me slow
Guitar Lead
Hold me tight, oh baby hold me tight
Oh that feeling you give me, makes everything alright
Come on and love me baby, come on and love me all night
Kiss me slow, oh baby kiss me slow
The way you love me baby, oh you give me vertigo
Come on and love me baby, ‘til your love is all I know
Come on and love me baby, ‘til your love is all I know
Come on and love me baby and kiss me slow
You Say I'm Picky
Chorus
You say I’m picky, but I disagree
You say I’m picky, but you’re wrong about me
I just know what I like, know what I want too
And baby you know it’s true
You should be glad that I’m picky, ‘cause I picked you
You took me out to dinner was to be a special Friday night
That place that you picked was no winner, I lost my appetite
I have particular tastes, know what I like to eat
And baby, it’s got to be sweet
Chorus
Bridge
You know there’s know better find
Than a woman who knows her own mind
Her opinions are strong, and her will is too
But once she decides she’ll love you through and through
Guitar lead
I know I give you a hard time, and sometimes I can be rough
I’m always aiming for the sublime, not just the good enough
I have particular tastes, know what I want it’s true
And baby, it’s got to be you
Chorus
I know what I like, know what I want too, and baby you know it’s true
You should be glad that I’m picky, ‘cause I picked you
Yeah you should be glad that I’m picky, ‘cause I picked you
You Sang My Note
The first time that I heard it, I knew that I was sure
Yeah the first time that I heard it, I knew that I was sure
Cause the first time that I heard it
I knew I’d never heard that before
Chorus
You sang my note, you sang my note, you sang my note
Oh yeah.....
Oh I can feel it coming from my own throat
The next time that I heard it, I was dying for that sound
Yeah, the next time that I heard it, I was dying to hear that sound
And the next time that I heard it
I felt my feet lift off the ground
Chorus
Bridge
Oh it echoes in my heart, reverberates in my mind
Oh it resonates through my whole body, my chest, my arms my thighs
What used to simmer low is now boiling high
Oh but boiling only means it will evaporate into the sky
The last time that I heard it, it made me want to cry
Yeah, the last time that I heard it, that sound almost made me cry
Cause the last time that I heard it
I knew you that you would say goodbye
Chorus
I Gotta Know
You read me a poem of devotion, I can hear with my two ears
Yeah you whisper words of devotion, I get your message loud and clear
But I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Yeah I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
You paint me a pretty picture, I can see with my two eyes
Yeah you paint me a pretty picture, and I can fantasize, I can fantasize
But I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Yeah I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Guitar lead
You tell me if you won me heart, you’d never let me get away
Yeah you tell me if you won my heart, you’d never let me get away
And I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, how your love would make me stay
I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, how your love would make me stay
Yeah I gotta know, know, know, know, baby, how your love would make me stay
I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know
I gotta know, know, know, know baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Guitar lead
I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know (walk-up)
I gotta know, know, know, know baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Yeah I gotta know, oh, oh, oh
I gotta know, know, know, know baby, what it’s like to be loved by you
Yeah I gotta know, know, know, know, know...
Bring Color Back
You see it all in black and white these days
You’re blind to much of me, I’m lost with all those hues and shades
So why do I hope, I’ll make you see my red fire
I wanna bring color back to your eyes
You see it all in black and white these days
Your empathy is gone along with all those hues and shades
So how can I hope, to make you understand my blues
I wish I could bring color back, back to you
Bridge
Cause love should not be blind
Love should see the good and the bad are intertwined
Yeah you know the heart’s eye should be open wide
So you can see the dark and brilliant inside of me
Guitar lead
Bridge
But you see it all in black and white these days
And there’s nothing to talk about without all those hues and shades
When will you appreciate my sunshine gold
I’m gonna bring color back for you to behold
Tell Me Where We're Going
It’s Friday night, good times on the way
Work is done, let’s go out and play
Take me out, if you want to bring me home
Time for fun, baby do not postpone
I’m waiting for you to tell me where we’re going tonight
Tell me where we’re going tonight, tell me, tell me
I’m all dressed up, baby I’m gonna shine
I’ll treat you right, I’m gonna make you mine
So take me out, baby let’s go downtown
The streets are full, and people are all around
I’m waiting for you to tell me where we’re going tonight
Tell me where we’re going tonight, tell me, tell me
Bridge
Come here sweet thing and fill my cup
I wanna party down, I wanna live it up
Tell me where we’re going, you’re overdue
Just tell me and get a move on too, yeah-yeah-yeah
Guitar lead
I can’t wait for what the night will bring
Let’s pretend like this is our first fling
Take me out, and I will bring you home
Show you love like you have never known
I’m waiting for you to tell me where we’re going tonight
Tell me where we’re going tonight, tell me, tell me
Bridge
Tell me where we’re going, you’re overdue
Just tell me and get a move on too, yeah-yeah-yeah
River Landing
I’m gonna leave you by the river
Cause you’re too frantic for me to stay
I’m gonna leave you by the river
Cause you’re just not going my way
The banks are firm, the water is high
That boat will cross me by and by
I’m gonna leave you on the levee
And don’t you think that I won’t cry
Bridge
You’re always set in motion, your life is a blur
You don’t stop and listen, I don’t know if you care
Everyone demands a piece of you, you squander all your time
You’re a slave to their unceasing needs, but definitely not mine
Not to mine, no not to mine, ooohh
Guitar lead
So now you’re stuck here by the river
And I can’t wait another day
You’re stranded on the landing
And that’s one less bag I have to pay
So baby, I’ll drop you by the river
Cause that boat is calling me
And if you’re too busy to hear it
Then the riverbank is where you’ll stay
Yeah the riverbank is where you’ll stay
Yeah baby the riverbank is where you’ll stay
Where you’ll stay, oh, where you’ll stay oh, where you’ll stay
Yeah baby I’ll drop you...
On My Side
You came on oh so strong [I didn’t mean to, girl you got me so wrong]
But you knew you would string me along [I didn’t mean to, girl you got it all wrong]
You knew you’d grow tired and let me down, yeah you’d let me down
You lifted me up so high
Where I could fly as the crows fly
And I saw us from a bird’s eye
From there I saw that it was all a lie
Chorus
You say you’re on my side, but then I look to my left and I look to my right
You say you’re going my way, but you’re not up ahead and you’re not behind
You don’t know where you’re gonna go [I got my own load, do what I have to]
And you don’t question status quo [Come here I'll show you, girl you got me so wrong]
You’ll just drift where the winds blow, where the winds blow
All it takes is just one time
To step across that fine line
Turn the taste to sour and brine
Yeah all it takes is just one time
Chorus
Guitar Lead
Time and again you left me alone [I didn’t mean to, girl you got me so wrong]
You neglect my needs but never your own [I didn’t mean to, girl you got it all wrong]
I used to take it but I have grown
Chorus
Politics
Politics, ‘bout control and greed
Politics, it’ll make you bleed
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Mama, mama, what can I do (nothin’)
Mama I’m so pissed at you, yeah
Uncle, uncle, what can I do (nothin’)
Uncle I’m so pissed at you, yeah
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Politics, take away your soul
Politics, now don’t you feel old
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Guitar lead
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Mama, mama, what can I do (nothin’)
Mama, I’m so pissed at you, yeah
Uncle, uncle, what can I do (nothin’)
Uncle, I’m so pissed at you, yeah
Pay your taxes, grind your axes somewhere else
Politics, ‘bout control and greed
Politics, it’ll make you bleed
Politics, take away your soul
Politics, now don’t you feel old
It's Late
It’s late, Honey forgive me
It’s late, Sorry to wake you
It’s late, Honey forgive me, I can’t sleep until I see you again
Repeat verse
I thought that maybe I could come over
Sweet baby, you could roll over
Just lay there I’ll kiss you all over
Then I’ll rock you to sleep again
It’s late, Honey forgive me
It’s late, Sorry to wake you
It’s late, Honey forgive me, I can’t sleep until I see you again
Guitar lead
You promise baby that when you come over
I’ll just lay here you’ll kiss me all over
You promise baby that when you come over
You’ll rock me to sleep again
Oh yeah, You can come over
Oh yeah, Ah baby kiss me all over
Oh yeah, You can come over, I can’t sleep until I see you again
You promise baby that when you come over
I’ll just lay here you’ll kiss me all over
You promise baby that when you come over
You’ll rock me to sleep again
It’s late, Honey forgive me
It’s late, Sorry to wake you
It’s late, Honey forgive me, I can’t sleep until I see you again
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, I can’t sleep until I see you again
Summer Tomatoes
Summer tomatoes are the fruits of love
They sprout from the earth, but that taste comes from above
Worth every bead of sweat when hands meet shovel and glove
You know tomatoes come in every shape and size
A thousand sweet varieties for you to try
Plant ‘em in May, in June they’re reaching for the sky
Come on, and taste every variety
Sugar baby, sweet pea, shady lady
Orange pixie, crimson fancy, Jubilee
Sun cherry, oh you’ll eat ‘em all with glee
Guitar lead
As the days go by, you better tend that garden plot
It will all pay off and you won’t even let one fruit rot
Cause when it comes, the harvest is sure to be hot
You gotta take a little taste of a Brandywine
Sprite, solar fire, giant Valentine
Legend, prairie fire, and the lovely peacevine
Wonder boy, hey baby that one is mine!
Guitar lead
Summer tomatoes are the fruits of love
They sprout from the earth, but that taste comes from above
Sweet summer tomatoes are what I’m dreaming of
Gimme a juicy red rocket and a cherry grand
A pink girl, husky red from the heartland
Heirloom rainbow and a better boy
Sun leaper, fireworks, they’ll fill you with joy
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