Half Mile Harvest (2017)

The Teskey Brothers' debut album, Half Mile Harvest, feels like stumbling into a forgotten blues bar that somehow exists in both 1960s Detroit and the southern backwoods of America. With analog warmth pouring out of every note, this record is a minimalist love letter to blues and soul, all delivered with an authenticity that makes you forget it’s not an unearthed classic.

Crying Shame opens the record with a steady shuffle and swing beat that oozes retro charm. It’s straight out of the Motown playbook, a simple but effective groove that showcases Josh Teskey’s gritty, heart-wrenching vocals. Minimalism becomes a strength here—the band doesn’t overcomplicate the arrangements, letting the raw emotion do the talking.

This simplicity carries into Say You’ll Do, but this track takes a slightly different route. While firmly rooted in blues, its dynamic solos and atmospheric instrumentals seem to tip their hat to Pink Floyd. You can almost feel David Gilmour’s influence seeping through every bend of the guitar string, with each ambient solo ringing like a love letter to the psychedelic blues rock era. It’s passion on a plate, served husky and warm.

Pain and Misery steps into even grittier territory. Its chord progressions might remind you of Tennessee Whiskey, but here, the brass section adds a layer of richness that feels like a audible hug. Pair that with Josh’s raspy vocal grit, and you’ve got a track that hits you right in the chest.

And then there’s Shiny Moon, a track that was described as “Swamp Boogie” in another online review. The description fits perfectly. With its mid-tempo groove and the Teskey brothers’ tight harmonies, it conjures images of muddy riverbanks and slow-burning bonfires. There’s a hint of the Allman Brothers or even Steve Miller in the way the melodies weave around each other.

Reason Why brings us to a Southern front porch, harmonica firmly at the forefront. You can practically hear the creak of the rocking chair as this track pulls you into its laid-back, nostalgic embrace. It’s the kind of blues that feels like it’s been passed down through generations.

The band shows their romantic side with I Get Up, delivering pure blues romance in its most distilled form. Then, Louisa shakes things up with dynamic handclaps, driving floor toms, and a tavern-style energy that makes you want to stomp your feet. The Hammond organ goes wild here, adding a bit of joyous chaos to the mix.

But don’t get too comfortable, because Til the Sky Turns Black darkens the mood. This track evokes a haunting, atmospheric sound. Close your eyes, and you’ll see tumbleweeds blowing across a barren landscape under a menacing black sky. It’s rich, ominous blues done right.

The Otis Redding comparisons become undeniable on Hard Feeling, as Josh Teskey’s soulful delivery takes center stage. Then comes the closer, Honeymoon, an 11-minute epic that feels like a deep dive into the Teskey Brothers’ Pink Floyd influences. The solos here are drenched in Shine On You Crazy Diamond vibes, building a cinematic, sprawling conclusion to the record.

Half Mile Harvest is a record that knows exactly what it is: a raw, unpretentious exploration of blues and soul that feels vintage and fresh. From swamp boogie to southern blues to psychedelic epics, the Teskey Brothers wear their influences proudly while carving out a sound that’s uniquely theirs in the realm of blues. It’s warm, dynamic, and packed with the kind of emotion that lingers long after the music stops.

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Highlight Songs:

• Say You’ll Do

• I Get Up

• Louisa

• Til the Sky Turns Black

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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

As a music enthusiast and avid supporter of “owning your music,” I want to say go out and buy this. But, I also understand that true blues ain’t for everyone. I say stream it but if you find that this music speaks to you then you better RUN to go buy it.