Dr. Helander & Third Ward
Shining Pearls
After two successful and highly acclaimed albums, blues powertrio Dr. Helander & Third Ward have undergone another creative period, writing new material eventually resulting in the new album "Shining Pearls". The band has been increasingly sticking to the trio format. With two major-league guitarists in the lineup, Dr. Helander and Esa Kuloniemi, it is perhaps no wonder that the material is dominated by their twin guitars, Esa Kuloniemi concentrating on his incredibly innovative slide playing and Dr. Helander delivering blistering solos using the normal finger technique in addition to his vocals that are as strong as ever. The original tunes represent the band's typical approach to blues, from the Delta to Chicago and further on with elements that are sometimes described as "extra-terrestrial". The two carefully chosen cover songs reflect the early influences of Dr. Helander. Accordingly, Mississippi Fred McDowell's "61 Highway" receives an inspired twin-guitar rendition, whereas Lightnin' Hopkins' antiwar song "War is Starting Again" is performed with heartrending fury, serving as a timely comment on the present times and certainly being a standout tune on the album.