Album Review: Kyle Rowland – Not Holding Back!
An International Blues Challenge semifinalist in 2024 and 2025, Sacramento-based harmonica player Kyle Rowland is a busy musician. His live unit Rowland & Tumblin’ covers the waterfront style-wise, working funk, soul, r&b, rock and roll, gospel and more into their blues-based music. A student of Rick Estrin, Rowland began his musical journey at age ten. His debut album, High Rollin’ with Kyle Rowland was self-released in 2011.
Since that time he has worked hard and often, applying his harp artistry to multiple projects. In 2014, he even played harmonica on a hard rock album, Simplicity by fellow Sacramento artists Tesla. In 2022 he signed an endorsement deal with Hohner, and in 2025 Rowland signed with the Little Village Foundation
The first product of that new association is Not Holding Back. Produced by his mentor Estrin and Kid Andersen at the latter’s Greaseland Studios in San Jose, the album is a 15-track collection made up primarily of Rowland originals, with some carefully-selected tunes from others rounding out the set.
Not Holding Back is very much a “band” album, giving ample time and focus to the superb players whose work adorns the set. Players include guitarists Anson Funderburgh. Bob Welsh, Johnny Burgin and Andersen; Little Village mainstay Jim Pugh is on hand for keyboards on most tracks; June Core is at the drum kit for most tunes.
The simmering “Convict No. 1” opens the album. Against an arrangement featuring multiple guitars – one playing stinging, spare leads, the other chugging along with its signal processed through a wah-wah pedal – the tune conjures thoughts of Albert King’s mid ‘70s work. The song is a showcase for Rowland’s vocals; only in its final minute does the track feature a harmonica solo.
Rowland holds command over the sound and feel of the record. On “I’ll Take You Back,” his harmonica opens the proceedings before the focus turns yet again to his searing vocals. Lead guitar licks spar with his vocal phrasing, and the band is tight as a tick. Ronnie James Weber’s bass work on the cut is hypnotic.
“We’re Still Friends” is cut from the same cloth that gave the world “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” and the song’s use of combo organ is an interesting, left-field and effective choice. A reading of Fillmore Slim’s “You Got the Nerve of a Brass Monkey” has a distinctive Chuck Berry feel; Rowland’s yelps mesh nicely with his sassy vocal. Pugh and Funderburgh truly deliver on the track, but as with everything on Not Holding Back, it’s a collective effort.
The wonderfully distorted guitar on “Gamblin’ Blues” contrasts nicely with Rowland’s clear and strong singing. “E.G.O.” leans into a Southern soul feel. The unhinged and spirited “Complete This Order” finds Rowland spitting out lyrics rapid-fire. “This Train” barrels along, pulling the listener along. Packed with top-notch arrangements and performances, Not Holding Back is a fun ride from start to finish.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.