Review: Spencer Mackenzie – Empty Chairs
Spencer Mackenzie – Empty Chairs
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Gypsy Soul Records
Release: 2026
Text: Martien Koolen
The new album of the Canadian blues rocker Spencer MacKenzie is called ‘Empty Chairs,’ and the eleven new tracks all feature soulful vocals, fiery guitar solos, and melodies and most of all you can say that the songs really stick in your mind and body for sure.
MacKenzie mixes classic blues with modern blues rock, but he does not reinvent the genre. However, his songs are solid and very accessible, and especially some of MacKenzie’s guitar solos are utterly “brilliant” indeed.
For me, the first three tracks – title track, Trip and What You Do – of the album are the absolute highlights here. The opening song, being the title track is a stunning mid-paced blues rocker which sets the tone for the two following songs. Next up is Trip, which is again a rocky blues song with fine guitar work, while What You Do stands out due to the razor-sharp biting guitar riff.
The rest of the songs are, at least in my humble opinion, not that good as the three openers, but MacKenzie still plays some lean and mean guitar during the rest of the album.
So, turn up the volume and enjoy!
Tracks:
01. Empty Chairs
02. Trip
03. What You Do
04. Don’t Know Where I’m Going
05. Till I Get to You
06. Frozen Hearts
07. Helping Hands
08. Why
09. Shoot Me Down
10. Won’t Find Her
11. Evil
Website: https://www.spencermackenzie.ca/