Right up my alley.

These are the words that came to mind immediately upon hearing New York City-based D.B. Rielly’s full length debut Love Potions and Snake Oil. Hearing the opening track, the zydeco stomper “One of These Days (You’re Gonna Realize)”, started it all. Give me an accordion and a feel-good cajun rhythm any day of the damn week. I’m buyin’.

Then the seconds track hit me, the bittersweet and rich melancholy of “Don’t Give Up On Me”, and it was confirmed: this record was a keeper, and I was only two songs in. “Don’t Give Up” has an absolutely beautiful melody highlighted by soft electric guitar and accordion – not to mention D.B.’s silvery tenor.

MP3: Don’t Give Up On Me

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The late Willy Deville has a fantastic album called Backstreets of Desire. The songs on Love Potions and Snake Oil remind me of it – the rich rhythm section, the ever-present accordion, the hot, swampy Americana feel… I can almost hear Willy’s distinct voice singing these songs.

Rielly self-produced the’Love Potions’ album, and somehow he came up with the scratch to package it in a cool, flat, square metallic tin. Kudos, because it certainly stood out from the rest, and piqued my curiosity.

The album flows seamlessly among dirty delta blues (“Changed My Mind”), the well-crafted ballads (“Save All Your Kisses”, “One Day at a Time”, “Love Me Today”), the stompers (the “Bang a Gong” riff of “Loving You Again”), the fun zydeco-driven tunes (“I Got a Girlfriend”, “One of These Days”), and the barroom sing-alongs (“We’re All Going Straight To Hell”).

In the sea of musicians doing their thing out in the world, I’m always happy when I happen across someone like D.B. Rielly – an instantly recognizable vibe, a musical wavelength we share, steeped in the American roots tradition of the blues, Louisiana culture, folk and country (the good kind). Love Potions and Snake Oil is a diamond in the rough – a warm and vibrant record that will enrich the music libraires of you like-minded folks.

Recommended in every way.

→ Buy Love Potions and Snake Oil either directly from D.B. or on iTunes.

D.B. Rielly on the web: Official Web Site | Facebook | YouTube | MySpace