Description
Ghost Train is the third album from bluesman Lewis Hamilton. The album is the third to be released by the guitarist, but the first to be credited solely as “Lewis Hamilton”, following on from the two albums he released with backing band The Boogie Brothers. Expect riffs, solos and down’n’dirty blues rock.
To view our full stock, search for all.
Nathan Nörgel –
"Through the three JJJ samplers, guitarist/songwriter Lewis Hamilton has done his Scottish colleagues a tremendous service world wide. He has now released his third album "Ghost Train", which offers blues rock from melancholy to funky. The Blues lurk round every corner, by the old oak tree as well as on the way home from one of the many gigs somewhere in the nation.The world of Lewis Hamilton is not a sun-shining, picture postcard idyll. If someone wants plush, happy-sounding music, they should head for the Soft Rock department! Here is a musician for whom the Blues are primarily sad or even tragic – perhaps because he doesn’t want to be everybody’s ‘Sunny Boy’. The music is solid – the trio rocks, sometimes gets funky … Definitely recommended for fans of the genre. " (Wasser-Prawda magazine)
Andre Wittebroek –
"Ghost Train has become a highly varied and handsome CD. He started as a young man to think more about the meaning of things and his lyrics were deeper and more melancholic music and bluesier. His guitar playing is not explosive and hard but more subtle and sensitive and is at the service of the song. His soft quiet voice fits perfectly. His voice is a bit between Sting and John Mayer … There are beautiful funky blues songs with a blissful groove (Cheap Cigars), tasty boogie (Whiskey Boogie), solid work with nice slide (Ghost Train), rockier work (Down To The River), as well as shimmering acoustic songs like Sunrise and instrumental valve on dobro Journey Home. All in all very varied and very well played! … A very surprising and varied CD which I value very highly. With this Lewis has delivered a professional CD that deserves much attention. "
Blues magazine (NL)
Steve Brown –
‘Lonesome And Blue’, the title track and ‘Down To The River’ are some of my favourites. Very strong is also the casual "Cheap Cigars", which transported the lifestyle (for me) south of the Mason Dixon Line beautifully …The relaxed "Trust In Me" on the other visits the ‘funky’ fleshpots of jazz rock.With "By The Oak Tree" Lewis then swings to Chicago. It’s a long time since I’ve heard such a sultry blues ballad … You can’t "Ghost Train" of not having variety! … Lewis Hamilton seems to be a flawless offspring of the North American roots of the blues."
Rocktimes.DE (Sep 09, 2013)
Ian Rankin –
"Hot-blooded Caledonian blues –
could any music fan refuse?"
Walter Vanheuckelom –
The title track ‘Ghost Train’ has many influences from Rory Gallagher. It is as raw and powerful as the numbers of Rory. Because the young Lewis found that writing about personal emotions and experiences yielded much better songs, there are in ‘Ghost Train’ so many of those experiences. Songs like ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Trust In Me’ are an excellent example of this. Back to the heavier work with ‘Down To The River’ when the superior guitar violence erupts. No extra tools, just a power trio with guitar, bass and drums. A very tight rhythm, a straightforward number but oh so beautiful. Lewis Hamilton is definitely a name to remember and hopefully we’ll get this young guy quickly somewhere at work to see in a club or festival Netherlands or Belgium. For "Ghost Train" is a very strong and varied album that provides some good promotion .."
Rootstime.BE (Sep 06, 2013)
Philip Vehaege –
"The funky tinted opening track ‘Lonesome and Blue’ is immediately topped with beautiful bluesy guitar riffs. With his mature vocal timbre and heavy roots tune ‘Cheap Cigars, Lewis guides us to the deep South. The title track takes a ride with Young’s Hammond and Lewis on Resonator. ‘Trust in Me then leads us straight back to the exquisite ballad ‘By The Oak Tree’. Special Guest Lyndon Anderson drove the song Whisky Boogie with his blues harp, with cozy and exciting duels with Lewis’s guitar. British Blues/Rock reigns supreme in ‘Down to the River’, as in the melancholy tinged funky ‘Head in the Sand … Lewis Hamilton keeps his hurtling Ghost Train nicely on track. With a nice mix of funky vibes, blues rock packaged with old-school blues ‘Ghost Train’ is a top album. This album is already in my personal top "
Keys and Chords (Aug 28, 2013)
John Hurd –
The ‘Jock’s Juke Joint’ collection is released by Lewis Hamilton Music so it’s maybe fitting to start a few recommendations of Scottish Blues with the release ‘Ghost Train’ by Lewis Hamilton himself. There are traces in his style of Henrik Freischlader – always looking for a fresh way of presenting the music and not afraid of taking a new direction (could this be because like Henrik he has his own label to do the experimenting on I wonder?!). Whatever the reason, ‘Ghost Train’ is an always interesting disc that builds significantly on the promise of his previous excellent release ‘Gambling Machine’ (Reviewed earlier on 3SongsBonn)
Bill Wilson –
Ghost Train is well-written, well performed, and done in such a way that it keeps guys like me, the hardcore old-school enthusiast happy while doing the same for those who want their blues a bit more on the contemporary side. Hamilton has shown the world that it is possible not only to walk the tightrope between technical perfection and raw emotional power but to do it in such a way that lovers of each school of thought come away not only satisfied but happy. Lewis Hamilton is an old soul and better than most at what he does. I listened to this piece repeatedly coming away each time with a bit more respect than the time before. My deepest desire is that Lewis and the band, while continuing to grow remain rooted in the blues. Ghost Train is the real deal…songs written drawing on wells of experience. This is a band that has what it takes to make it."
Jon Seymour –
The guitar work once again is exemplary and the vocals have an understated approach. Nothing is overdone and everything just comes together seamlessly, to make greater the sum of the parts. From the guitar playing, it’s easy to tell that there is considerable talent there, but also the knowhow to wield it to greatest effect. This is heartfelt soulful music, just as honest as the day is long in June, and when music has that much integrity, it just has to be good … One of the most important things about this album though is that it’s from one of the rising stars on the scene, and it’s albums like this that are keeping the scene alive. If the new generation of blues musicians keep churning out music of this quality, the blues scene is going to remain healthy for a very long time, and that is a good thing, a very good thing indeed. (Firebrand Magazine)