Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch has a brand-new album entitled Blues Cut Like Glass, releasing on January 18, 2025. Matt wrote and arranged all songs and horns on this album, and the Michael Burks rhythm section makes a special appearance on several songs. The rhythm section includes Chuck “Popcorn” Louden (Buddy Miles, Johnny Taylor and Lucky Peterson) on drums, Wayne Sharp on B3 Organ and John Davies on bass. Also appearing are Gus Thornton on bass (Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Johnnie Johnson), Taylor Streiff (Nick Moss Band) on organ, and Sean “Mack” McDonald (ZZ Ward and John Nemeth) on lead guitar and organ.

My Review:
“Feel So Good,” and I feel a boogie coming on! This is old-fashioned blues and boogie with a dance feel and some pleasing shuffle in the instrumental breaks. It has the immediacy of a live performance and the organ made me nod in appreciation! A great opener that places the marker down.
“He’s a Bluesman” changes direction a bit to a deeper blues vibe, it reminded me of those later Delta Blues men, all that southern style and organ. Any lyric that includes wrestling with a bear has to be noted too!
“Big Legged Woman,” interesting title! I’m not a big-legged woman, as I am only 5ft 2,” but I’m told this woman “can shake it loose!” We return a more club sound with an old-style vibe, plenty of humour and a desire to play that honky tonk.
“I’m so Tired” opens with some lovely jazz-style drumming, some syncopation and style. It has a modern blues feel as Matt feels the blues from impending work and a partner who is not listening. Another fun outing.
“She’s My Everything” opens with a downward nod musically toward Status Quo before moving vocally into the blues. The song is driven by that honky tonk and the regular rhythm as the musicians trade a sense of the impromptu.
“Sittin at the Station” introduces a bit of sway; it takes me into the classic era of instrumental blues. I remember Shirley King (BB’s daughter) reminding us how those great bluesmen were the great entertainers and this is a listening pleasure with a little chorus there at the joins.
“Going Through This World All Alone” is more melancholic, as the title suggests. It has a strong beat with a bit of an organ solo. Vocally strong, it has the old blues themes and lyrical style. It was one I didn’t get into as much.
“Blues Cut Like Glass” is the title song for the album. It is a confident swaggering number, slow and thoughtful as the singer tells me he is searching for that one woman of his life. It weaves that old blues magic in a modern way.
“Keep Your Promise” is upbeat and fresh; this one has a great little drum and bass beat; a groove with a hook and a traditional blues lyric, conversational storytelling.
“Let Me Cook for You.” I liked the title and the groove for this one. Very infectious and a good dance beat that made me want to see these guys live. It runs to 2.55 and is pure energy.
“I Still Got My Blues” is the main closer to the album; it is a slow and swaying number that calls on you to relax back in the sofa and listen. I began to wonder why I was drinking pineapple juice and wondered if a whisky was needed to properly enjoy this one.
“Jammin at St. Paul’s” features Sean Mack McDonald (the blues guitarist from Georgia). It’s a classy jam and retains that live feel in the production.
In summary, this is entertainment blues, modern blues that retain respect for the old and give it all a new shine. It exists for your listening pleasure and (often) your dancing pleasure too. Very enjoyable, wicked infact!
Standout tracks: “Feel So Good,” “Big Legged Woman,” and “Keep Your Promise.”
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By Lorraine Foley