Burnside, Cedric – Benton County Relic – New LP

Knotted up tight and letting loose, popping the gas tank cap and letting the intoxicating fumes hiss out, tapping into the tank of that truck called Mississippi blues and using that fuel to spit fresh fire, siphoning it up and spitting it out, lighting that junk on fire, his Mississippi and Memphis roots showing.  Most blues from the last 50 years don't do much for me, too much focus on showing off the chops and not focusing on the songs, or working too hard to sound authentic to the traditions and not to one's own innards, too much sounding like a visit to a museum, but Cedric is obviously coughing it up from his gut and spitting it out with soul.  It's hard not to compare him with his grandpa, but that's the wrong way to come at this, this keeps the tension pulled in tight, and lets loose like a coyote howl. -- winch

Benton County Relic is Cedric Burnside’s debut record for Single Lock. It was honored with a nomination for “Best Traditional Blues Album” at the 61st GRAMMY Awards. It was Cedric’s second nomination and Single Lock’s first.

“Cedric Burnside carries the mantle — the joy and the burdens and the history of the North Mississippi hill country blues, a style like no other in Southern music.” 


“The Big Bad Burnside Sound is back… and how!”- MOJO

“If you’re tired of typical I-IV-V fare, Cedric just might be your man, and Benton County Relic might be the tonic you’ve been wanting.” - Premier Guitar