Get Back to the Land (Self-released, 2011)

Ted Russell Kamp is known primarily as the bass player for Shooter Jennings, but his latest solo release reveals his versatility as a singer/songwriter. Kamp wrote or co-wrote all 13 tracks, which display a mix of country, rock and soul.

The opening California Wildflower has a Tom Petty feel to it with a touch of The Byrds, while If I Had A Dollar is reminiscent of Gram Parsons with Nicole Gordon providing the Emmylou Harris style harmonies. The strongest country track is the effective ballad Half Hearted, co-written with Trent Summar.

Several tunes have a southern soul influence including the title track, which features a soulful organ solo followed by a country rock guitar solo, as well as the ballads (Down At The) 7th Heaven and Georgia Blue , the funky Aces and Eights and the bluesy Don't Look Down .

Amongst the highlights are the edgy blues rock of Time Is A Joker ("Each line and each wrinkle that grows on my face/ Is proof that a man can survive in this place") and God's Little Acre ("I know I ain't no rich man who travels round the world/ And I know I ain't no hero or the guy that gets the girl"), as well as the ballad Bottles On The Table ("The bottle's half empty/ When it hits the floor/ I'm just as broken/ You're still wanting more").

With strong compositions and stellar performances, this self-produced effort reveals Kamp can hold his own as the front man.