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CD  BACON FAT - THE ART OF FREEDOM

Bacon Fat is back… with thunder and lightning! W. Johnson, Benjamin Cestillo en Rico Gee have been working very hard during four years to get their third album ready for the world.

With “The Art of Freedom” they prove they are alive and kicking more than ever before. The songs on this CD are all brand new and the guys really do believe in what they gave birth to, hence the opening track ”You can do it if you want it bad enough”.

“She’s Cocaine” is already a classic on live gigs, and so is “Live and die for rock ‘n roll”. “One on one”, the first single from de new CD, can be obtained for free as an MP3 by sending an e-mail to greaseitupmusic@skynet.be. Just try this at home, there is no danger.

In “Sevcan” Rico combines his incredible abilities as a drummer with an unexpected vocal talent. “Play with feel” gave it’s name to the 2011 Bacon Fat tour.

“Talking Jayme” is a tribute to that crazy Australian dj Jayme Hanjin, regularly giving Bacon Fat airplay “Down Under”.

“Thug job” is not an easy one.  It’s a mix between jazz and psychedelica,  drenched  in the well known Bacon Fat boogielicious rock sauce. In “My baby and me” we recover W. Johnson’s dirty voice and guitar, so typical for the Bacon Fat sound. For “The tale of Scott and Louie” Johnson found his inspiration on a holiday in Turkey… .

Absolute highlight on this album is without any doubt “Liberty Bell” which unites heavy stoner rock and impressive latin riffs with a smooth jazz intro.  A real masterpiece …

The two jams on this CD, Art I and Art II, in which R&B (in its historical significance), psychedelic rock, jazz and even a taste of free jazz come together, the band is surveying its musical bounderies.  

To obtain an even fuller sound Bacon Fat was assisted by two extra musicians: the American bluesman John North III on sax and bluesharp, and our local super talented Gert Michaux on electric piano.

But above all The Art of Freedom is a rock album “pur sang”. And this pure rock ’n roll is what we find back in the live set too. The wind of the new tracks blows the set into new directions. Nevertheless, the band succeeds in switching to the old material without any loss of power and sound.  And that means that Bacon Fat is still Bacon Fat. 

Unnecessary to mention the ZZ Top influence as it's always been a major one for W. Johnson (gtr/voc). 'One on One' is most likely the closest Bacon Fat came to ZZ so far. For the first time other influences appear very clear on the recording. Opening track 'You can do it if you want it bad enough' unmistakably reminds of Motorhead while 'Art 1' and 'Art 2' bring together Miles Davis and psychedelic warriors like Gong and Hawkwind. Apparently this results in climaxes which seem to come straight from a Sun Ra record. The main title on this album is without a doubt 'Liberty Bell', a nearly 9 minute epic which takes you from soft jazz over latin to heavy stonerrock AND back. Oh, and watch out for them bongo drums...

Despite the many different musical genres which seem to appear, the album stands on itself as a solid rock album. Bacon Fat again manages to fit in the weirdest stuff without losing it's very own identity. In other words: this is a must have for every true music fan!

-Cduniverse.com

CD  BACON FAT - REINVENTING THE MOJO

Here it is: the second Bacon Fat studio album: “Reinventing the Mojo”.

It wasn’t an easy one for W. Johnson as he literally had to reinvent the soul, the heart and the charisma of the band. That W. succeeded in his mission is proven with these new recordings.

This 13-track disc takes you on a journey of voodoo-rock ‘n roll, switching from dance-shuffle to hard-rock and from psychedelic jazz-rock to blues-rock ‘n roll and more.

Opening-song “Shake that Ass” is the first song composed by the new line-up. This is the song about moving on with the band. This song put Bacon Fat back on the right track. You could probably file it under “dance-blues”. With it’s pumping bass and driving disco-beat you’ll have no other choice than to shake that ass! There’s even a real “Beat” added in the bridge, most exciting! At the end the song turns into a real bluesrocker in the vein of the “Undead”-album by Ten Years After. The working-title we used for this song was “Disco-Blues 3000”

Second track is “Dig it Up”, an up-tempo rocker with a killer-riff and an awesome drumbreak. Loads of guitars here, pure rock ‘n roll!

“Bodeguita Brew” is all about W. drinking rhum in a small Cuban bar during the time he lived in Leuven. Again some great breaks in this one! Written in 2005 by the old line-up along with “She go down…” and “Humbucking”.

“She go down to get me High” says it all. For one reason or another this theme shows up regularly in them Bacon Fat songs. This one nearly takes the boys to stadium-rock status with a chorus you will still be singing the morning after you went to a BF-show with your girlfriend.

“Pretty Little Thang” has been the closing-song of the live-set since well… errr…. since it was written in 2002. As it didn’t fit well with the other tracks on “Boogielicious Baby” it was destined to appear on the next BF-album. So here it is. Probably the heaviest stoner-song in the Bacon Fat catalogue to this date and an absolute live-favorite !

“Blues for Carol” brings you the first big surprise on the album. With special guest Delvis (The Sapiens) on vocals and bluesharp this song suddenly seems to change the overall atmosphere of the disc. With the smooth bluesy guitars, the swingin’ drums and Delvis’ incredible voice a soft and smooth world is created. In the middle of the song Bacon Fat starts pumping it into a heavy blues-rocker. Along with high energy vocals this one is a real “Goosebumzzer”.

More blues on the second big surprise! Yes, here is a cover, a song which has been in the live-set since the 4th ever BF-gig in 2001. We’re talking about Jimi Hendrix’ “Red House”, the blues-standard for all blues-rockers. Benjamin and Enrique are really into the groove here laying a carpet full of swing for W. to play over. It’s not an imitation of Jimi but a true Bacon Fat version. Dig it!

Heavy contrast now. “Gimme some More” is by far the heaviest track on the album. It’s the first riff Benjamin came up with. With Enrique pushing the limits on the drums in a Mitch Mitchelesque style this one kicks ass all the way. Hard ‘n heavy but clearly Bacon Fat. Yes, we want some more!!!

Surprise all around, here’s nr 3. As the boys like to jam a lot and also like to listen to all kinds of music here’s an instrumental song. “Miles Dewey III part 2” is an ode to the late (and still great) Miles Davis. As W. is a big fan of his fusion-music from the seventies that music also slipped into the Bacon Fat jams since the beginning. What about part 1 you ask?? Well, that appeared on the now discontinued “Show Some Steel”-demo. Oh yes, this one was recorded completely live with no overdubs!

Track 10 is “Humbucking”, the first song to be completed after the “Boogielicious Baby”- sessions. Great rhythms and tones in this swingin’ rocker!

Next is the oldest original of the album. “Louisa” was written by W. in 1999, even before the band actually existed. It’s a John Lee Hooker-like boogie where W. alternately sings and plays some fast guitar-solos. Later on mr Nasty came up with the straight bass-line which  made the song a lot heavier. And of coarse it’s about an Irish girl!!! Still a favourite in the live-set!

A demo of “Morefun Boogie” was already recorded during the Boogielicious-sessions and the song has been in the live-set ever since. Finally the boys present a decent studio-recording of this fantastic shaker.

And yes, here’s a final surprise! “Raggafari Jack” is the Bacon Fat version of a Big Sugar trip. If you know that band you know what to expect. Reggae meets rock ‘n roll! Hallelujah!

Bacon Fat: Reinventing the Mojo - GRS 02 – 2007 Grease it up Music 3447953028 - 10,00 EUR OR 14,00 $

Listen to samples at  www.cdbaby.com/cd/baconfat2

REVIEWS

Wensday, July 04, 2007

G'Day to all @ Grease It Up. Just recieved the new cd of Bacon Fat from you.This is a top album, rising so much higher than the first cd. Production is great, in fact,great kick ass" Rock from end to end. Stand out tracks for me in fav" order are: 10-11-1-12-2-4-5. Will start giving the album airplay as of next weeks program.

Bluest Regards. "TECKA"..

Terry Iredale/ Tecka's Tracks.HOTFM 106.7 "OZ"

www.geocities.com/terryiredale

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Bacon Fat, een band uit het Belgische Sint Truiden, opgericht door W Johnson in 2000 heeft geen makkelijke start gehad. Meerdere line ups zijn de revue gepasseerd. Maar dat hoort bij elke beginnende band denk ik. Toch heeft Bacon Fat ondertussen al diverse demo's en in 2004 hun eerste volwaardige cd 'Boogielicious Baby' op het nieuw opgerichte label Grease It Up Music uitgebracht. Nu is er dan hun tweede cd 'Reinventing The Mojo'. Op deze cd wordt W Johnson, die alle gitaar-, keyboard- en effectgeluiden naast de vocalen voor zijn rekening neemt, begeleid door Benjamin Cestillo op bas en achtergrond vocalen en Enrique 'Rico' Gee op drums en percussie. Een pittige bluesrock schijf waarop de rock de boventoon voert met een hele lading bluesinvloeden. Van een band die zichzelf omschrijft als "The Bad Ass Motherfuckin' Bluesrockmachine" met een logo dat wel wat weg heeft van Motörhead hoef je geen zoetsappige crooners te verwachten natuurlijk. Hun voorliefde gaat duidelijk uit naar het ruigere werk. Met invloeden van ZZ Top, Five Horse Johnson en Big Sugar naast (schrik niet) Miles Davis is dit niet zo verwonderlijk. Een strakke band die ons meevoert met verrassend goede vocalen en gitaarpartijen, ondersteund door een solide ritmesectie langs 'Shake That Ass', met een gitaar solo die bij Alvin Lee niet zou misstaan, en de meeslepende rockers 'Dig It Up', 'She Go Down To Get Me High' en 'Louisa'. De wat meer bluesgeoriënteerde nummers zoals 'Morefun Boogie' en 'Red House' trokken als bluesliefhebber wat meer mijn aandacht. Maar ook het reggae nummer 'Raggafari Jack' ging er bij mij wel in. Dat deze drie Belgen wel degelijk muziek kunnen maken bewijzen ze met 'Miles Dewey III Part 2'. Voor mij het hoogtepunt van deze cd. Men mag alleen maar hopen dat Bacon Fat in deze samenstelling doorgaat. Absoluut de moeite waard.

writer: Bluesboy 03/07/2007

www.bobtjeblues.com

Saturday, June 22, 2007

Ik zeg het direct open en bloot: ik ben zeker een ingewijd liefhebber van authentieke zwarte blues maar de meestal blanke paardestaartvariant,  bluesrock genaamd, kan me maar zelden boeien want heel dikwijls helemaal  naast de kwestie, meestal enkel het vehikel voor gitaristen om hun  cirkustrucs vermomd als feeling voor een publiek te kunnen etaleren.
Trouwens het peil van '70 's bluesrock groten zoals Johhnny Winter (ja, die  van dat liedje van The Van Jets, sinds de late  jaren '60 een top albino blues singer, de man maakt nog steeds sterke platen. red.), Rory Galagher  of Jimi Hendrix  kan zelden of nooit behaald worden.
Het Belgische trio Bacon Fat (in de jaren zestig was er in de UK reeds een band  die zo heette) weet op hun nieuwe cd 'Reinventing The Mojo'zeer handig deze val te vermijden door net iets slordiger en punkier te werk te gaan dan de meeste van hun Duitse, Deense of Zweedse  spitsbroeders. Bluesrock is immers iets typisch Noord-Europees.
ZZ Top '( luister maar eens naar 'Dig It Up') is duidelijk een zeer grote invloed voor W.Johnson (Pettitjean, le fils de jean, de zoon van jan, son of john in het echt leven),Benjamin Cestillo (Kesteloot voor zijn familie) en Enrique 'Rico' Gee ("G"oossens) maar van een zuivere immitatiejob is hier geen sprake. 'Pretty Little Thang' is zelfs pretty origineel.

Bacon Fat klinkt Amerikaanser dan de meeste van hun Skandinavische opponenten. 'Blues For Carol' valt op door de androgyne gastvocalen van zanger-harpblower Delvis (20 y).'Red House' is altijd een persoonlijke Hendrix favoriet van mij geweest en deze versie kan mij echt weinig bekoren want te gewoontjes uit dezelfde ader getapt.
Ook AC/DC is een duidelijke invloed maar de herkenbaarheid en 'gimmickerij' die de semi Australiers in hun trek- en sleurwerk weten te intergreren ontbreekt hier wat, remember de doedelzakken, de zang en teksten van Bon Scott, 'Big Balls' et j'en passe.Gelukkig is er het zeer leuke 'Raggafari  Jack'dat bol staat van de reggae verwijzingen. En had BoB Marley ten tijde van de eerste Wailers lp tegen Amerikaans gastgitarist Donald Kingsley niet gezegd 'Just play the blues.' wanneer deze hem vroeg wat hij nu in godsnaam op die hybriede (reggae) muziek moest spelen.
Het niveau en de originaliteit van El Fish of Mark Thijs' groepen halen ze  niet maar Bacon Fat haalt wel een niveau dat in menig donker clubje in het  noorden van Europa als onweerstaanbaar zal ervaren worden.  Pretentieloze fun is dit.

*** (drie sterren)

Dr Kloot per W voor Stage Magazine

CD  BACON FAT - Boogielicious Baby

Tracklist: Motorcycle Hotel, Kick the Boogieman, Strip Down, Hangin' Around, Pony-tail Daydream, Rub Top Shuffle, Red Pussycat, Nasty Boy, Bad Ass Lowdown 'n Dirty Blues, Just as Long as We go, Plain Sustain

Boogielicious Baby is the first official album of Bacon Fat. A few comments from the fans:

"Raw primal sledgehammer blues" (Burn)

"Loaded with energy, kick ass from the very first second" (Bobtjeblues)

"Amazing blues!" (Mark)

Listen to samples at www.cdbaby.com/cd/baconfat

Price: 10,00 EUR or 14,00 USD

Our famous Bacon Fat T-Shirt

All our T-Shirts now feature a new imprint of "Boogielicious Benny", our little piggie.

T-Shirts are available in black only and come in size S, M, L, XL and XXL.

Quality: 100% cotton - 190 gr

Price: 15,00 EUR or 20,00 USD

Don't forget to mention the size when you send in your order.

Bacon Fat's most sexy pink tank top

This really sexy pink tank top will make all those boys look at you... especially when you're a girl!

And yet, this garment is designed with your comfort in mind.

Sizes are S/M or M/L.

Price: 15,00 EUR or  20,00 USD

Don't forget to mention the size when you send in your order!

Bacon Fat's high class black tank top

Black is beautiful!

No one can deny that.

This exceptional black tank top is designed with your comfort as well as your style in mind.

Available in size S/M or M/L.

Price: 15,00 EUR or 20,00 USD.

Don't forget to mention the size when you send in your order.

FINALLY...

AFTER GETTING KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THESE PRETTY THINGS, IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL TO FEEL THE NEED TO GET THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE !

SO DON'T WAIT AND PUSH THE GREEN BUTTON THAT WILL LEAD YOU TO AN ORDER FORM, WHICH YOU CAN EASILY FILL IN.

IT REALLY IS A PEACE OF CAKE !

I'D LIKE TO BUY !