Page 43 - BiTS_02_FEBRUARY_2021

Chad Strentz—Acoustically Yours Volume 1—Independent

Release

Chad Strentz is probably best known for his work as a singer and
guitarist with Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes. With ‘Acoustically
Yours Volume 1’ as the name suggests, Chad gives us an insight
into his solo work.

The album opens with an introduction from Chad explaining how
music gives him a buzz and more bizarrely how he attaches a
matchbox with a rubber band around his finger to add some
percussion! The result is ‘In My Blood’ a great John Lee Hooker

type boogie that really rocks, I liked this one.

‘Stand Tall’ is a lovely blues that has a hint of Eric Bibb about it. Next up is ‘Also Known As’ a
change of style with a more jazzy feel about it with Chad expressing his thoughts on Covid 19 and
the lockdown. ‘Furry Things’ is a light hearted blues ditty about pets with some occasional woofs
and meows!

Chad explains how he wrote and recorded all the songs in seven days whilst in lockdown (2020). It
was recorded onto a mobile phone totally acoustic with no mics or editing except for the odd fade
out. So what you get here is Chad raw up front and personal, no frills no effects or embellishments.
The result is that the music has that un-produced finish about it that you may love or hate as the

case may be.

‘One Clown Down’ is a slow blues whilst ‘Going Nowhere’ has a more rock and roll feel about. With
‘They Tell Me’ Chad relays—and laments—the story of Jesus in a country blues style. The album
closes with positive vibes and an upbeat message in ‘Unless We Try’ layered over a simple reggae

guitar rhythm.

With this album having the bare bones production wise there is no room for anything that is not on
it one hundred percent. Chad manages to pull this off not only with a great voice and astute
acoustic guitar playing but also his enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment of his craft. All the songs are
brief and to the point and it is worth noting that all the songs are under three minutes. This album

is a bit different but well worth a listen.

Ged Wilson

Chad Strentz—Acoustically Yours Volume 2—Independent
Release

This review, of course follows on from that above. For that reason
I do not include the usual biographical and recording details,
commonly used at this point; Ged has more than adequately
covered those in his review.

I have heard both these albums and played them on my radio
shows. IMHO this second one is actually better than the first.
It is, as Ged calls it, still a ‘a bare bones production’ but the songs
are somehow better crafted and delivered with more force than