Eddie 9V is a guitarist whose main influences are pretty evident. His previous album Black Flies (2021) is a collection of blues songs. Some of the songs like “Don’t Come Around” seem to draw heavily from artists like Buddy Guy, both melodically and vocally. But it’s not something you expect from an artist who is in his mid-20s.
The new album is entitled Capricon, a fitting title considering that he recorded the album at the famed Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia. While its predecessor was a blues album, the new album takes a hard turn toward soul. Of the album, Eddie 9V said, “Coming off a straight blues record, I wanted to show people we’re more than that,” he reflects. “I was listening to Muscle Shoals and soul, a lot of music recorded at Capricorn in the late-’60s too.” It doesn’t take long to realize that the music he listened to greatly influenced this album.
“Beg, Borrow, and Steal” is the first song on the album and it is dripping with 60s soul sounds. The horns bring a healthy dose of the Memphis sound while the rhythm will have you grooving and the organ, much like in the Muscle Shoals sound, brings a warmth to the sound. It’s hard not to think about Eli “Paperboy” Reed when you hear Eddie 9V sing this one. The vocals are in the same register and are accentuated by the occasional soul shout.
Soul is the prevailing sound throughout this album, but there is some variation and not just in tempo. “Yella Alligator” features a funky rhythm that is sure to get your backside in motion. It also includes some greasy guitar sounds and some lyrics that you are sure to sing along with. With the tempo and the singable lyrics, this is a good selection for a playlist for when you’re having a party. “Mary Don’t You Weep” is even more of an aberration on the album. The focus of this song is the vocals that sound like they’re sung by a church choir. Aside from the vocals, the song is propelled by the organ and the bass. It’s shorter than two minutes, but it still might have you shouting “Hallelujah!” at some point.
While this is very different from his previous albums, he doesn’t completely leave the blues behind. “Down along the Cove” is a soulful blues tune includes some wicked slide guitar that grabs the attention and a rhythm that gets you tapping your feet. It’s another short song, but it is two and a half minutes that you’ll want to hear again.
Capricorn by Eddie 9V is proof that his aptitude for soul music is just as strong as his aptitude for the blues. He shows that he can sing the slow smooth songs just as well as he can shout with the best of them. Be ready to do some dancing when you hear this one. Also, be ready to feel better at the end than you did at the beginning of this mood-boosting album.
