46 Long

Eclectic acoustic Blues duo 46 Long is set to release its latest full-length, the dynamic Tennessee, featuring 10 “songs of murder, sex and love,” this Friday at downtown’s Arnold’s Bar & Grill. Showtime is 9 p.m. and the shindig is a free one.
Though “dynamic” and “eclectic” might not be the first words to come to mind when you think “acoustic Blues duo” — all three words suggest inherent limitations — 46 Long is both of those and more. Eschewing Blues clichés while still staying fairly faithful to the music’s rich tradition is a difficult balancing act to pull off, but Tennessee finds the twosome subtly integrating sounds from a broad spectrum of influence without losing their core, distinct sound. In the end, it’s one of the more creative Blues releases you’ll likely hear all year, yet the detours and tangents shouldn’t deter (most) purists.
On Tennessee, Blake Taylor (who primarily sings and blows a mean harmonica, though also contributes keys, percussion guitar and, uh, “crowbar” on the album) and Jonathan Reynolds (who sings and plays guitar while also providing bass and percussion) start things off with the stanky groove of “More,” then take the listeners through deft interpretations of gritty, Delta-esque Blues (like the title track), gruff Tom Waitsian eccentricity (“Lock It Up or Lose It”), full-bodied, swaggering AltCountry (a cover of the Starkweathers’ “One for Her, One For Him”), boogying Lyle Lovett-like Swing (“Don’t Drink”) and stompin’ Garage Rock (“Something Strange”).
Other standouts on Tennessee include a sparsely percussioned take on Morphine’s “Thursday,” and “The Best Revenge,” a dark, ominously atmospheric track that’ll send creepy shivers up your spine.
The recording is refreshingly natural (with only some distortion here and there to add shadowing), the perfect setting to wrap your ears around the duo’s ace musical skills. Taylor once again proves he’s one of the best Blues harmonica players in the region, playing the mouth harp like a saxophone, a vocal part, a rhythm guitar or pretty much any other instrument you can think of.
If you’ve given up on the Blues because you think you’ve heard it all before, pick up Tennessee and let 46 Long show you otherwise. - Citybeat Magazine

Let's Face it, blues can be a conservative genre. [Off the Rack} is a creative collection that takes chances, breaks the blues mold and is full of wonderful surprises. A delightfully gritty listen. Their sound is anchored by Taylor's soulful, yearning harmonica work. - Rick Bird - Cincinnati Enquirer

"Together, Taylor and Reynolds form a solid, soulful core that packs more passion and heart in a simple "acoustic duo" setting than most full-on Blues outfits...their presentation — acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica, sparse percussion — has a natural, bare vibe that is incredibly magnetic to the ears. Acoustic Blues players may be a dime a dozen, but the strong songcraft and singer/harpist Blake Taylor's unique, masterful playing style (he uses the harmonica as both a rhythm and lead instrument) give them an edge over the competition. - CityBeat

"Great harp playing; dark, delightful storytelling, and intricate guitar work... Taylor's rich baritone vocals are nicely complimented with Reynolds' more twangy, rugged singing...great harmonica-driven, toe-tapping Blues"
Rick Bird -- Cincinnati Post
- Cincinnati Post

"Together, Taylor and Reynolds form a solid, soulful core that packs more passion and heart in a simple "acoustic duo" setting than most full-on Blues outfits...their presentation — acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica, sparse percussion — has a natural, bare vibe that is incredibly magnetic to the ears. Acoustic Blues players may be a dime a dozen, but the strong songcraft and singer/harpist Blake Taylor's unique, masterful playing style (he uses the harmonica as both a rhythm and lead instrument) give them an edge over the competition.

- Citybeat - CityBeat

"Reynolds and Taylor have found a very natural partnership in 46 Long, creating a unique groove to call their own. Trading vocals and effortlessly weaving together guitar and harmonica, they imbue their performances with passion and craftsmanship."
Tara O'Donnell -- Cincymusic.com
- Cincymusic.com

"Blake's harp playing is really good in that he has a ton of chops a lot of tone and a great idea when to play acoustic...Blake's got the over blow thing going on articulate bends and a great sense of time and phrasing...The part I really liked and surprised me was the songwriting and singing! Fuckin' My Baby's Away" rules lyrically I had to check to see if that was their tune or what, cause that is just so catchy and sophisticated and great feeling."

- Jason Ricci - Eblood.com

"Reynolds and Taylor have found a very natural partnership in 46 Long, creating a unique groove to call their own. Trading vocals and effortlessly weaving together guitar and harmonica, they imbue their performances with passion and craftsmanship."
Tara O'Donnell -- Cincymusic.com
- Cincymusic.com

46 Long is an acoustic Blues duo featuring Blake Taylor on harmonica and vocals and Jonathan Reynolds on acoustic guitar and vocals. The chemistry between the two makes them sound bigger than they are, as Taylor creates harp lines that soar and lead as well as support and keep things tempo. DIG: Kick-ass harmonica playing, warm and intimate Blues. - Citybeat Magazine

46 Long is an acoustic Blues duo featuring Blake Taylor on harmonica and vocals and Jonathan Reynolds on acoustic guitar and vocals. The chemistry between the two makes them sound bigger than they are, as Taylor creates harp lines that soar and lead as well as support and keep things tempo. DIG: Kick-ass harmonica playing, warm and intimate Blues. - Citybeat Magazine