GARY HARVEY BAND Ghost Dance
GARY HARVEY BAND Ghost Dance. Independent. New Zealand blues can sometimes be a contradiction in terms, maybe because I can’t recall too many bands/artists coming from that part of the world. Anything missing from the spirit of its North American home, you might think is going to lack much of what has made the blues […]
GEORGIE BONDS Stepping Into Time
GEORGIE BONDS Stepping Into Time. 8th Train Records. This album opens with a short a Capella version of St James Infirmary which immediately establishes Bonds’ credentials as a tough, gritty soulful and rich baritone vocalist with plenty of depth and emotion. Bonds is from Philadelphia and spent fifteen year’s working with horses before a friend […]
VARIOUS ARTISTS – HARD TO EXPLAIN More Shattered Dreams
VARIOUS ARTISTS – HARD TO EXPLAIN More Shattered Dreams 1968-1984. Ace Records. The first thing that is “Hard To Explain” in context, is that this disc is a collection of funky blues from a variety of artists. This is not a single or indeed even a couple of artists performing, it is though, a guide […]
HOUNDOG FRASER AND ROCK HUNTER Broke Down Load
HOUNDOG FRASER AND ROCK HUNTER Broke Down Load. Independent. As far as I can tell, this is a Blues duo from Scotland with acoustic and slide guitar and harmonica, although I am not certain who plays which! We have here a 7 track CD with all of the tracks being originals and it is difficult […]
JOE BONAMASSA Different Shades Of Blue (Single)
JOE BONAMASSA Different Shades Of Blue (Single). Provogue. The title track from Joe Bonamassa’s recent album has now been issued as a single (see Issue 80 for full album review) and here we get a shorter Single Edit plus the full album version. Probably, like me, most readers will already own the full album which […]
JOE TOPPING The Vagrant Kings
JOE TOPPING The Vagrant Kings. Fellside Records. Joe Topping is well known on the British folk scene having played with Andy Irvine, Ashley Hutchings, Home Service, While and Matthews and various members of Fairport Convention. The album contains ten tracks of self-penned songs plus one cover and the style is a mix of folk, Americana […]
JOHNNY FONTAINE AND THE RIVALS Lemme Tell Ya!
JOHNNY FONTAINE AND THE RIVALS Lemme Tell Ya! Wanted Men. The blurb is headlined Finest Mafia Blues Rock – Mafia Blues Without Compromise! Can’t say I’m sure about the Cosa Nostra connections apart from their Sicilian roots and propensity to wear hats but this is pretty fine Blues Rock and they make a very accomplished […]
JUNIOR WELLS Southside Blues Jam
JUNIOR WELLS Southside Blues Jam. Delmark Records. If you’re a blues lover, then this is one recording you need to snuggle up to. This is the follow-up to Delmark’s Hoodoo Man Blues, recorded just after Christmas in 1969. This is also a chance to experience 15 performances by Chicago’s finest from a time when the […]
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE Absent Fathers
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE Absent Fathers. Loose Music. This album is a companion piece to his Single Mothers album but it stands in its own right as an album of subtle and beautifully played alt-country. If it leads you to the other half of the pair then that is no bad thing either. Earle has a […]
KELLY’S LOT Don’t Give My Blues Away
KELLY’S LOT Don’t Give My Blues Away. Independent Release. Well this is definitely the real deal for any lover of rhythm and relaxing laid back blues adding to this mix funky style a fantastic horn section and sassy female vocals this has it all. A mainly Southern Californian band that have been around the music […]
