Zach Prather
Zach Prather
Living Blues Magazine
Mark Camarigg – February 2009
After teaming with Cash McCall in Los Angeles by way of Chicago in the ’70s, guitarist Zach Prather backed such legends as Etta James, Willie Dixon, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Later, based in Paris, he toured with Luther Allison for over three years in Europe.
Prather comes into his own with his newest release, Freak. His sound is a wonderful blend of funk, soul, and blues with a modern twist. He may be over 50 years old, but vocally he sounds decades younger. Freak offers a few covers, including Otis Rush’s All Your Lovin’ and Lonnie Brooks’ Wound Up Tight. Prather’s band, Slight Return, is no simple homage to Hendrix by any means. They lay down tight grooves on every song and the rhythmic interplay with Prather’s guitar will get hips shakin’.
Zach Prather forges an identifiable sound that would be at home on any number of stages, from blues festivals to the jam band scene. With some radio airplay and an early slot at Bonnaroo, Prather and his band would very likely blow-up. He’s got the chops, the voice, and the funk to garner a wide and modern blues audience.
–Mark Camarigg, Living Blues Magazine
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Zach Prather’s “Wound Up Tight†to be featured on Blues Deluxe from December 14th – 20th, and will be broadcast to 103 radio stations, and over 2.1 million listeners! You can listen to the 1hr radio show online at http://www.rootsmusicreport.com.
“…the kind that points to one stand out feature that deserves recognition. Prather’s storytellin’ voice assumes that role and his guitar backs it up. He brings each tale to his audience with a comfortable texture. Not one to over-emote, Prather prefers a funk-driven mood where he can subtly drive his band in pursuit of a story that begs to be told.†– Jim Santella, Southland Blues Magazine
“Prather is obviously talented and this set gives a good indication of the stylistic breadth of those talents.†- Mick Rainsford, BluesInBritain
