Review of the new CD of Key Frances Rough & Raw
August 2009 By Ron Bervoets of Rootstime Belgium
He was one of the surprises at the BRBF-Festival 2008 in Peer!
Key Frances is very proud he records everything 100% live, without overdubs.
That is also the case with his new release Rough & Raw!
During the BRBF-Festival 2008 we already got a demo including four songs.
On the release there are now 11 songs with on the cover a beautiful and artistic photo.
All songs are for a 100 percent genuine and live recorded at the stage
without any overdubs. Some at Harvelle's in Santa Monica at four o'clock in the morning,
just after his gig that ended at half past one that same morning.
That's the kind of artist Key is. The public on BRBF Peer 2008 know
and saw him as the artist who always uses the unexpected.
The ultimate live performer! There is his special liking for Bo Didley's rhythm which shows up frequently in his songs.
Key Frances Band is a real jam band and Key's guitar play is full of improvisations.
The way he plays is so very original, must also be because he never had guitar lessons
and just learned himself to play. If you listen to his CD or enjoy one of his performances,
it's never the same! He even creates during his performance and then frequently new riffs are born.
So there is always a difference, but the familiarity stays. The music press in the USA already named it as "Psycho blues".
The list of bands Key performed in is enormous; I name a few; Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Albert Collins,
Robert Gray and John Hammond. They still are all in his circle of friends.
Producers he worked with were Daniel Lanois & Bob Johnston; they also worked with Bob Dylan.
Bob teamed him up with the famed Stevie Ray Vaughan's Band "Double Trouble" for an album of
Key's original music. Key started his career in London, moved to New Orleans and also stayed in Texas.
These two cities colored his music in a combination of New Orleans funk and Texas guitar-force.
One of the best songs on the album is "Real Deal". From the moment you hear it,
you understand the name "PSYCHA~BLUES"
With a heavenly guitar maybe "Amanda" is even more beautiful. In "Every Night & Every Morn" some Hendrix influence appears. Key recorded four songs solo at the Harvelle's Studio,
just he and his acoustic guitar. Also from these pure recordings Key Frances makes magic moments.
Key is as one of his songs is called "The Real Deal"!