What do you get when you put together Def Leppard’s lead guitarist, the Stone Temple Pilots’ bassist, a soul singer who’s done backup vocals for Michael Buble and Luther Vandross, and a metal-loving drummer who’s worked with TLC and Englebert Humperdinck? Somehow, you get a blues band.
Def Leppard’s Phil Collen started assembling Delta Deep in 2012 along with vocalist Debbi Blackwell-Cook. They were eventually joined by drummer Forrest Robinson and bassist Robert DeLeo, putting out their debut self-titled album in June 2015 on Mailboat Records.
At first, you wonder, “Where’s the Def Leppard?” Collen’s roots in the iconic rock band start to show in the third track, “Down in the Delta,” which opens with 80s-style hard rock guitar riffs that give way to larger-than-life choruses. DeLeo adds an unexpected angle by using a funky distorted bass tone. “Miss Me” is another one that has that 80s hand-clapping feel, with Collens lending vocals in some verses — and “Mistreated,” with Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott joining Blackwell-Cook on vocals, is a smoldering arena rock epic.
But not all the tracks have Leppard poured all over them. “Burnt Sally” and “Bang That Lid” are odes to classic blues; DeLeo, who counts James Jamerson as one of his biggest influences, provides a bottom end that’s in constant motion. And don’t forget about Robinson — he adds unique percussion elements to fit each song, like double-bass in the outro of “Mistreated,” that show off the versatile background that led him to Delta Deep.
Whether the mood of a particular song is dark like “Whiskey” or romantic like “Treat Her Like Candy,” Delta Deep is moving music. This is one review copy that’s getting added to my personal collection.
P.S.: Delta Deep wrote a Christmas song. Check it out.
Upcoming Delta Deep Shows
Dec 20, 2015 229 London, England UK TICKETS
Dec 21, 2015 Sebright Arms London, England UK TICKETS
Jan 6, 2016 The Canyon Club Agoura Hills, CA TICKETS
Jan 7, 2016 The Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA TICKETS
Jan 10, 2016 Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA TICKETS
Jan 11, 2016 The Catalyst Club Santa Cruz, CA TICKETS
Jan 13, 2016 Saint Rocke Hermosa Beach, CA TICKETS
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This post was sponsored by Independent Music Promotions. Photos and review copy provided by IMP and Delta Deep. All opinions are our own.
Great review! Thanks!