Ryan Perry, High Risk, Low Reward Review

Ryan Perry is a fiery blues guitar player, singer, and songwriter from Mississippi. He made a name for himself with the Homemade Jamz Blues Band, which is a blues trio, consisting of siblings Ryan, Kyle, and Taya Perry. Ryan has been leading the Homemade Jamz Blues Band since 2007. However, now he is feeling the need to start his solo career. His debut solo project is called High Risk, Low Reward. “This album,” he says, “was the hardest thing I’ve done to date.” The album is full of Perry’s soulful guitar and bluesy vocals, and there is still plenty of elements of the Homemade Jamz Blues Band. Perry presents eleven songs that where recorded at Berlin’s Studio Erde with producer Roger Inniss.

 Positives:  Well-written songs with beautiful blues guitar playing, a solid band and a variety of styles, makes High Risk, Low Reward a delight.

 Bottom Line:  High Risk, Low Reward presents styles from the classic porch-blues vibe of the title track to Hard Times’ torn-and-frayed ode to struggling in modern America, this is an album that touches every generation that hears it. With a balance of covers and originals, Perry takes us on a musical ride. The band is Ryan Perry, guitar, vocals; Roger Inniss, bass; Lucy Piper, drums; Jeffrey Staten, backing vocals; and Stefanie Bechtold, backing vocals. Perry is blazing the next blues generation, but still addressing age-old truths in a manner that is vigorous and true in vision. “The new generation of the blues is here now,” he nods. “And it’s here to stay…” The opening track, “Ain’t Afraid to Eat Alone,” will grab any blues fans’ ears and hold them, not to mention rock guitar fans. Perry’s approach to the guitar is universal. The storyline is in the traditional blues theme, the song form is expansive, and the harmony is filled with twist and turns of modern blues. “Why I Sing The Blues” is a blues standard that Perry does with authority and excellent guitar playing. One can hear the B.B. King’s influence in his playing and vocal approach. That keeps the tradition alive and introduces it to new listeners too. “One Thing’s For Certain” has a great rock-blues feel and riff. Perry’s vocals float over the shuffle as the band grooves hard under him in support. Overall, High Risk, Low Reward is an outstanding debut album from a bluesman that has a sound on both the guitar and vocally. That’s the short of it!

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