Somers resident Ken Sederdahl, guitarist/vocalist of the Flathead Valley’s Kenny James Miller Band, and two pals have released a CD that professes their devotion to the Lord. This is Sederdahl’s fourth CD; he and bass player Chris Coen, alums of the valley’s long-time group Blue Onion, joined YWAM ministries’ drummer Adam Cullen to lay down some Sederdahl originals along with devotional songs from others. The band’s moniker, as you might guess, is a combination of Sederdahl and Coen’s names.
The album was recorded live in four days. The 13 tunes capture the raw emotion of the fellows’ deep faith. The guitar player says he “loves to be playing in a solid power trio, performing original music. And some beefy versions of some praise and worship covers.” He says his songwriting is inspired by his beliefs, but he never wants to “be pushy with it.”
Coen adds, “I would say we’re not your traditional blues band. We like to rock it and we like to play it hard.”
I’ll say! Fueled by the dynamite Coen/Cullen rhythm section, powerful vocals, and expert guitar chops, the sound is muscular and expansive. On the title song, “Who Is He?” Sederdahl belts out lyrics in his gravelly, distinctive baritone and adds killer guitar riffs between verses. The album is replete with the guitar styles of his many influences – Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, and Stevie Ray Vaughan among them.
Robert Lowry’s “Nothing But The Blood” is a struttin’ rocker with meaty guitar chords and wriggling lead work. There’s thrilling gospel music as well.
Peter R. Scholtes’s “They’ll Know We Are Christians,” is performed almost as a chant, growly and deliberate, with a searing guitar solo. John Newton’s revered hymn, “Amazing Grace,” has the original lyrics, but a different tune; a hypnotic riff propels it. Sederdahl’s great voice gives it the depth it deserves.
The instrumental finale, “Door Jam,” cooks like crazy. Cullen cements the cadence while Coen walks all over the five-string bass and Sederdahl whips out lightning guitar licks. Visit the artists at kcpmusic.com.
– Mariss McTucker