Under The Influence
Slim Butler
Under the Influence is the fifth solo album by Finnish blues guitarist and vocalist Slim Butler — the performing name of Jarmo Puhakka, a Rovaniemi-born musician regarded as one of Finland's most experienced and accomplished blues artists — released on the SlimCuts label. Partly funded through crowdfunding, the album marks a departure from Puhakka's own songwriting: rather than presenting original compositions, it is built entirely around covers of songs by artists who have been formative influences on him, with the sole exception of the closing track "Jungle Slim," a groove-driven guitar instrumental credited to all of the SlimCuts musicians collectively. Puhakka is joined throughout by his band the SlimCuts — guitarist Harri Raudaskoski, bassist Mikko Löytty, and drummer Jartsa Karvonen — along with additional contributors including keyboardist Harri Taittonen, guitarist Elias Ruokanen, and harmonica player Tomi Leino, with recording done at Suprovox Studio.
The album ranges stylistically across blues, funk-soul, shuffle, country-blues, and rock, reflecting the breadth of Puhakka's influences. Guest vocalist Gilbert Kuppusam takes the lead on three tracks, delivering standout readings of Freddie King's majestic 1973 track "Woman Across the River," Albert King's Stax classic "Don't Burn Down the Bridge," and Jimmy Hall's "Rendezvous with the Blues." Butler handles lead vocals on the remaining tracks, including the Oklahoma blues of Jimmy Byfield's "Stand Back," the funk-soul-flavored "Miles After Mile" (originally by Sven Zetterberg), the traditional shuffle "Bad Poker Hand" (from Gary Primich's 1995 album Mr. Freeze), Little Feat's early-1970s rhythm workout "Sailin' Shoes," and "South Side of Dixie," co-written by Vince Gill and Delbert McClinton. The album also includes a blues-rock instrumental, David Grissom's "Belly of the Beast," before closing with the band's own "Jungle Slim."
Under The Influence
Slim Butler
Under the Influence is the fifth solo album by Finnish blues guitarist and vocalist Slim Butler — the performing name of Jarmo Puhakka, a Rovaniemi-born musician regarded as one of Finland's most experienced and accomplished blues artists — released on the SlimCuts label. Partly funded through crowdfunding, the album marks a departure from Puhakka's own songwriting: rather than presenting original compositions, it is built entirely around covers of songs by artists who have been formative influences on him, with the sole exception of the closing track "Jungle Slim," a groove-driven guitar instrumental credited to all of the SlimCuts musicians collectively. Puhakka is joined throughout by his band the SlimCuts — guitarist Harri Raudaskoski, bassist Mikko Löytty, and drummer Jartsa Karvonen — along with additional contributors including keyboardist Harri Taittonen, guitarist Elias Ruokanen, and harmonica player Tomi Leino, with recording done at Suprovox Studio.
The album ranges stylistically across blues, funk-soul, shuffle, country-blues, and rock, reflecting the breadth of Puhakka's influences. Guest vocalist Gilbert Kuppusam takes the lead on three tracks, delivering standout readings of Freddie King's majestic 1973 track "Woman Across the River," Albert King's Stax classic "Don't Burn Down the Bridge," and Jimmy Hall's "Rendezvous with the Blues." Butler handles lead vocals on the remaining tracks, including the Oklahoma blues of Jimmy Byfield's "Stand Back," the funk-soul-flavored "Miles After Mile" (originally by Sven Zetterberg), the traditional shuffle "Bad Poker Hand" (from Gary Primich's 1995 album Mr. Freeze), Little Feat's early-1970s rhythm workout "Sailin' Shoes," and "South Side of Dixie," co-written by Vince Gill and Delbert McClinton. The album also includes a blues-rock instrumental, David Grissom's "Belly of the Beast," before closing with the band's own "Jungle Slim."