VLADI Back Pain
DPP Records
Vladi are in Italian blues rock band, who are very much in thrall to the sound of the British blues boom of the sixties. So in no particular order, that means the Rolling Stones, the Animals, the Yardbirds, Cyril Davies, Alexis Korner and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Which isn’t a bad thing at all and which led to the formation of the Vladi Blues Band over 20 years ago. Since then they’ve been performing all across Italy and into the rest of Europe in clubs and at festivals, with the requisite lineup changes. They’ve also punted out a few records along the way, including an Eric Clapton tribute, leading to this latest set of original songs. And it’s quite enjoyable without ever becoming essential. They’ve got their sound down pat, and there are some nice fills and trills along the way.
Thing is, though, the songs don’t really stick in your head, with the exception of Run Away Home, The River and the sole cover, Season Of The Witch (the old Donovan tune). That said, though, the band are all extremely proficient musicians and if you were to encounter them on a stage, I’m sure a good time would be had by all.
STUART A HAMILTON
