The Winding Way (2023)
With The Winding Way, The Teskey Brothers take their soulful, bluesy roots and weave in new textures, grander arrangements, and a sense of emotional depth that feels like the culmination of everything they’ve done so far. This album is richer, fuller, and more intricate, with strings, horns, and woodwinds expanding their sound into something almost orchestral at times. If Half Mile Harvest and Run Home Slow felt grounded in earthy warmth, The Winding Way takes you soaring through the clouds.
The opener, I’m Leaving, sets the stage with slow, bluesy sensuality. The brass and woodwind accompaniment enriches the track’s soulful undercurrent, while Josh Teskey’s warm, heartfelt vocals remind you why this band is so special. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to sway in the kitchen with your partner, lost in the moment.
Oceans of Emotions brings a driving energy while maintaining the band’s love of brass and string embellishments. There’s even a touch of Philadelphia soul here, with lush strings adding a vintage pop charm. It’s a song that feels expansive, like it’s meant to fill every corner of a room.
Then comes Take My Heart, a ¾-time waltz number dripping with sultry swing. The Hammond organ delicately carries you from start to finish, while the strings swoop in with grandeur and romance. Josh Teskey’s passion practically bleeds through every note—this track is as timeless as it gets.
London Bridge shakes things up with a funkier, more playful vibe. The electric guitar has a bluesy twang with a slight funky edge, and the gospel-inspired backing harmonies are simply uplifting. By the time the strings lift you into the choruses, you’re floating. Fergie who?
The Americana influence kicks in with Carry Me Home, a harmonica-driven track that leans into a more American-Western-Blues feel. It’s a lyric-forward number where the music serves to emphasize the story—a simpler arrangement, but no less powerful.
This Will Be Our Year adds a bluesy, R&B holiday pace to the record, with its percussive eighth notes and jaunty brass riffs. It’s light and fun, giving the record some welcome brightness.
And then there’s Blind Without You, a standout track. It opens with a haunting, campfire-like quality before blooming into an uplifting gospel-blues anthem. The clapping rhythms and interplay between the brass, strings, and guitars make it one of the most dynamic and addictive tracks on the record. It’s almost progressive in its structure, with bridges that feel like mini-revelations.
The drama continues with Rich Man, another ¾-time waltz that brings deep, cinematic flair. The power in the post-chorus bridges and solos are profound—you can feel every ounce of emotion vibrating through the strings and Josh Teskey’s voice. This track is thunderous in its impact.
As the album nears its end, Remember The Time arrives with an immediate burst of brightness, a sharp contrast to the heavier, more dramatic feel of Rich Man. It’s lively and invigorating, a breath of fresh air after the emotional intensity.
Finally, What Will Be closes the album with a bang. A true blues finale, this track is all about release—addictive, loud, and filled with joy. The instrumental break is pure catharsis, with Clapton-like guitar riffs and Elton-esque piano pounding to carry you into the album’s final moments.
All throughout The Winding Way, you’ll find traces of Chris Stapleton, Nathaniel Rateliff, Leon Bridges, and even Van Morrison. But at the heart of it all is The Teskey Brothers’ unique ability to channel vintage soul into something that feels fresh and alive. The Winding Way is The Teskey Brothers at their most ambitious. It’s a record that takes everything they’ve built and adds new layers of complexity and richness. With cinematic string arrangements, bold brass sections, and Josh Teskey’s vocals shining brighter than ever, this album isn’t just a continuation—it’s a statement. The Teskey Brothers have arrived at a place where they’re not just playing the blues; they’re evolving it and they’re owning it.
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Highlight Songs:
I’m Leaving
Oceans Of Emotions
Blind Without You
Rich Man
What Will Be
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
If I had to sell you on one record to own by The Teskey Brothers, it would be this one. This record is their most dynamic and I believe it has the most the offer to the most people. If you don’t believe me then feel free to stream it, but don’t you dare skip this one.
