THE BROADKASTERS 21 Days In Jail
Rhythm Bomb Records
The Broadkasters consist of three members of rockabilly band The Houserockers with the added harmonica of Ian Austen-Jones. The result is a lively rough and tumble bluesabilly which kicks off with Mellow Down Easy featuring 50’s style slap bass from Nick Hoadley, drums from Nick Simonon, wailing harp from Austen-Jones and powerful vocals and lead guitar from Rob Glazebrook.
The result is a stripped back retro sound which will get the dancers on the floor. Robert Johnson’s Stop Breaking Down gets a sturdy makeover before Austen-Jones’ fine blues wailing harmonica intro on Ah’w Baby shows off his little Walter influence.
The band use vintage instruments and with their raw approach the sound they produce is close to that coming out of the classic Chess Studio in the 50’s. Magic Sam’s 21 Days In Jail tears along frantically with fine guitar work from Glazebrook and is all over in about 2 minutes. The rhythm section drive along Willie Dixon’s Crazy Mixed Up World and then Glazebrook adds distorted guitar to the swinging Down To The Bottom. Superb slide guitar lights up a cover of Muddy Waters’ classic Feel Like Goin’ Home and then Glazebrook turns to acoustic guitar for Little Walter’s Just Keep A Lovin’ with Austen-Jones on harmonica. The album closes with a rocking cover of Champion Jack Dupree’s Stumblin’ Block Blues.
If you like your blues played with a touch of rockabilly and plenty of attack then you should enjoy this fine album.
DAVE DRURY
