NOBODY’S BUSINESS Home Grown.

Independent.

Nobody’s Business is the name taken by Danny Ward and Colin Elliott, and these two Bristol boys have produced an album of simplistic beauty that is easy on the ears and a real musical treat with superb guitar finger-picking and original self-penned lyrics. The opening track the curiously named, Rabbit Skin Glue is almost a scene setter with a real bluesy sounding about it. The subtext of repairing old guitars is at odds with the singing of the blues per se, but it really works. This is quickly followed by Dirty Rag, an analogy with his rejection by his woman and her throwing the performer out of the house. It had pathos running through it and it was genuine. The third track is a simple guitar melody which is gentle on your aural senses and the title of Lunch On The Steps suggests anything other than the blues, but the gentleness of playing is its charm. Track six has some lyrical conundrums with Same Old Bone as it lays out the loss of a dog and a woman on the same day. How lucky can one man get? There is a touch of irony there but it does introduce the harmonica playing of Colin Elliott to complement the vocals of Danny. Track ten is more folk than blues with Chasing Rainbows, and with delicate guitar playing allied to clear lyrics sung with feeling is reminiscent of early Donovan stuff. Overall this CD is a sweetly played example of two consummate musicians who deserve to be better known. It would appeal to both Blues and Folk fans.

TOM WALKER