The Big Wolf Band-Rebel’s Journey

The Big Wolf Band; Rebel’s Journey      released April 19th

The second studio album in the Rebel trilogy, Journey is a thirteen track album full of fire and energy, but also touches of soulful, emotional music. Its part of the journey taken by Jonathan Earp through the travails of life, both personal and a more wordly scale that touches us all.

Its certainly a fully fuelled, supercharged start, a pedal to the floor road journey, ‘Empire And A Prayer’, the Empire is the starting point, the prayer is hanging on for the rock riven ride. A song co-written with Justin Johnson who plays rhythm guitar. Can’t overlook the, ‘Valley Of The Fallen Kings’, a different take on those infamous crossroads, where the tariff is 10 years of service ferrying souls back to the demon gatekeeper. Full of gut churning guitar riffs, lovely piano flurries, and a driving rhythm, what more could you want. Gorgeous guitar lead opens, ‘Lay It On The Line’, a lovely bluesy song, where backing vocalist Zoe Green makes a strong showing, along with funky organ solo, from keyboardist Robin Fox. Devil’s work comes back into play with, ‘Six Strings Loaded’, as Jon goes back down to hell with his six strings howling the blues in a riveting soulful, blues solo.

Darker, moodier, but impossible to resist is something that threatens us all at times, ‘Black Dog Blues’. Another fabulous opening solo over pulsating bass heavy rhythm, while Jonathan implores, “take it all, take it away, take these blues, take them away”. Jon and Robin trade riffs, before building to a climatic close out.

Now we’re on the darker side of life, I’ll pickup on a couple of superb slow burners. ‘Standing In The Rain’, full of emotional, crying guitar, and sad, remorseful lyrics, a beautiful song that talks of feeling lost, alone, though in a roomful of friends and family. It is simply superb and will pull you in closer than lovers arms. I hesitate to call this my pick of the album, there is so much else to savour, but its outstanding. The other burning, dark song, features strong, reflective backing from Zoe, and nice piano flourishes from Robin, is, ‘Darker Side Of You’. A love that’s drifted apart, bringing emotional guitar riffs, heartbreaking lyrics, and ‘hanging on in there’, though knowing it will end. Another undoubted pick, and there is much I’ve not even touched on.

This second collection of songs builds strongly on the excellent first Rebel album, I can’t wait for the final instalment. The Journey closes out on that age old, seemingly endless story of war, driven by greed and profit, questioning whether we will ever learn to live at peace together. ‘Too Many Times’ may a have bleak outlook, but the message is delivered in style, foot tapping, hip swinging rhythm, sing along anthemic lyrics, and the Big Wolf signature sound, disarm yourself and step into the groove.

Tracklist;

1. Empire and a Prayer (3:57)
2. Valley of the Fallen Kings (5:58)
3. Lay it on the Line (3:48)
4. Rise Together (4:06)
5. Six Strings Loaded (4:19)
6. Black Dog Blues (6:07)
7. Standing in the Rain (7:24)
8. Living on Borrowed Time (3:46)
9. Got Me Reeling (4:32)
10. Crazy Love (3:32)
11. Darker Side of You (4:40)
12. Just a Little Bit (5:26)
13. Too Many Times (4:20)

All songs written by Jonathan Earp except Empire and a Prayer, Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time Written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson.
Lead guitar and vocals – Jonathan Earp
Bass – Mick Jeynes
Drums – Tim Jones
Rhythm Guitar and backing vocals – Justin Johnson
Piano and Hammond organ – Robin Fox
Backing vocals – Zoe Green

Addition Vocals on Rise Together – Tracey Earp and Sheena Sear
Shaker, Tambourine, and kitchen sink – Mark Stuart

Produced by Mark Stuart and Jonathan Earp
Mixed by Mark Stuart and Sheena Sear
Mastered by Sheena Sear
Chief Studio Entertainment – Ralf and Susie (M2 Studio dogs)
Recorded and mastered at M2 Studios

https://www.bigwolfband.com/shop

Words Graham Munn

Emanuel Casablanca-Strung Out On Thrills

Emanuel Casablanca, Strung Out On Thrills

Available now on Vinyl Recording Group

Brooklyn based ‘outlaw-bluesman’ Casablanca has released an eleven track blistering blues rock album that feels like you’ve backed onto a cattle prod, absolutely electrifying. He proves himself to be a fiery vocalist, hard riffin’ songwriter, whilst also fitting in a bit of acting and daubing the odd canvas.

This is an album full of twists and turns, veering away from the bright lights down glass strewn back alleys, where cats feed form the bins of detritus. A lot of tongue in cheek in yer face songs, phenomenal guitars and riveting, drum ‘n bass rhythms.

It opens with a mad-arsed, ‘Dogshit’, not quite what your thinking, though you won’t wipe this away anywhere soon, its the equivalent of our bullsh*t, coming from his woman that gets brushed off in this stupendous song. The titular, ‘Strung Out On Thrills’, sweeps in, the energy burn remains high as a kite, which is more or less where the lyrics take us, from cocaine to sex, and every thrill between! Drum and bass have serious gravitas, guitar is dirty, heavy, and throbbing, demanding attention. The highs kick in for a more melodic ethereal follow through, the driving pulse remaining, unsated underneath, fabulous in the truest meaning. If your not hooked by now, your listening to the wrong album.

(photo Natalija Bubalo)

‘Visceral’, opens sweetly enough, but within a few bars, gets down and dirty, atypical blues lyrics borrowed from time, and an unhappy woman, guitar on this sits in the Eric Gales arena, fast fingered but truly grounded. Mexican flavoured acoustic opens the sizzling insistent, ‘Pistolero’, an assassin laying out his threat, the drum ‘n bass are frenetic, rhythm guitar weaving throughout, cameos of that Latin acoustic slotting in; a song looking for a Netflix series to latch onto.

‘Lass’, takes another direction, altogether, still visceral, fizzing with energy, but scored around a “cold feline”, all style and cool, but razor sharp with a “smooth real ass”, Joanna Connor powers in with slide, while Kelli Baker steals lead vocals, an absolute stunner, you’ve just been run down by a juggernaut.

There’s so much more, a superb riff ridden Chicago blues, ‘Bastard’ and ‘Morning Wood’, but bonus tracks aside, the album closes on a nicely strung and polished, ‘Pearl’, more drive from the underlying rhythm, fiery guitar leads, and gritty lyrics. It gets a bit crazy, with hip hopping verbal tirade, your left on a high, more speed than cocaine…….so I believe.

I love this album top to bottom, Casablanca has delivered as sure as Bogart did back in his Casablanca heyday.

Tracklisting;

1.      Dogshit (featuring Joanna Connor)

2.      Strung Out On Thrills

3.      Visceral (with Laurence Henderson)

4.      Conniver

5.      The Farm

6.      King

7.      Pistolero (with Salvo)

8.      Lass (with Joanna Connor and Kelli Baker)

9.      Bastard

10.    Morning Wood

11.    Pearl

Bonus;

12.    My Life’s Fire

13.    Dogsh*t (Radio edit)

All songs by Emanuel Casablanca

http://www.emanuelcasablanca.com/

facebook: @thebadboyofblues

youtube: @badboyofblues

Words Graham Munn

Eric Bibb Live At The Scala Theatre Stockholm

ERIC BIBB  ‘LIVE AT THE SCALA THEATRE STOCKHOLM’

available on Stony Plain Records; Cat.  SPCD/LP1486, from April 5^th

Performed in front of a live audience at Stockholm’s Scala Theatre in 2023, 
Eric reflects on his musical journey, his vision of unity in a world filled with divisive rhetoric. Eric Bibb is more than a blues troubadour – he is a storyteller, a philosopher. The album is his pick of songs from that 50 year journey, an infusion of folk, blues, and Americana, or whatever label you want to put on it. He is joined by guest vocalists Sarah Dawn Finer, Rennie Mirro, and of course, Ulrika Bibb, along with some stringed instrument accompaniment.

The 10 track album opens with a gentle country blues, ‘Going Down That Road Feelin’ Bad’, featuring soft brushed rhythm, harmonica, a little slide,   and violin, its a delightful, settling song, even if Eric’s “feelin’ bad”, delivered to an appreciative audience. ‘Silver Spoon’, is classic Bibb, as he picks up his guitar and hits the road, crosses oceans, finding a home far away from his roots. One of Eric’s great, impassioned and pulsating blues, with a wonderful string solo, viola, cello, I don’t know, but its an outstanding song. Don’t skip the lovely bit of folksy blues, ‘Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie’, if it were a cake, you’d take a big slice, but I’ moving straight on to a rather savoury old school blues, re-scored lyrics layered over the rhythm of, ‘Sitting On Top Of The World’.  ‘Things Is Bout Coming My Way’, is an absolute pick, a beautiful string opening, atmospheric backdrop, harmonica and deep down bass.  Don’t care if the rhythm has been hijacked, its superb.

Its followed by another home grown Bibb classic, the story of, ‘Rosewood’, a small township arisen from slavery, and burnt down in the dark days of 1923. A lament, narrated by Eric’s warm voice, over acoustic guitar and with orchestral string backdrop that gives a harrowing atmosphere to those charred memories. ‘Whole Worlds Got The Blues’, is a reflection on the world today, in the newspapers, on the radio and TV. Another irresistible song even if the lyrics paint a dire picture, the harmonica, bass rhythm and occasional atmospheric crash of cymbals, create a fabulous if ominous, blues hue.

Back to a more gentle approach, a cool paddle in the waters of, ‘The River’, and the hypnotising train journey of ‘500 Miles’, Eric must have found a seat in First Class for this lush epic, as cosy as a pair of slippers, sat affront of a Scandinavian log burner. The performance closes on a rather twee, ‘Mole In The Ground’, complete with audience participation. Despite the picture in my mind of Jasper Carrot with a shotgun, and Bernard Cribbins digging a hole,  this proves to be a melodic folk ditty nicely framed by the string ensemble.

If your a fan of Eric Bibb, and I am, you’ll want this album, if your a fan of finely crafted songs, delivered with panache by a true artist, you’ll love it.

Performed in front of a live audience at Stockholm’s Scala Theatre in 2023, and contains a selection of songs cherry-picked from Bibb’s history.

Eric Bibb is playing this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival in August UK dates in May and June are being planned.

Tracklisting;

1.      Going Down The Road Feelin’ Bad

2.      Silver Spoon

3.      Along The Way

4.      Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie

5.      Things Id ‘Bout Comin’ My Way

6.      Rosewood

7.      Whole World’s Got The Blues-rock

8.      River Blues

9.      500 Miles

10.    Mole In The Ground

www.ericbibb.com

www.facebook.com/EricBibbMusic

www.twRitter.com/@EricBibb

www.instagram.com/ericbibbmusic

Words Graham Munn

Bex Marshall-Fortuna

Bex Marshall; Fortuna

Seems like a long time since I saw or heard Bex, but Bex is back, and Fortuna is going to poke you in the eye, so you’d best take notice. In fact, its like licking your fingers and sticking them in a light socket, electrifying!

The cover is torn open asunder with a rousting funk loaded rocker, ‘Preaching To The Choir’, she’s in the pulpit telling us some home truths, backed by the gospellising chorus from Shola Adegoroye. That’s washed aside by, ‘Dirty Water’, and Bex is in full blues mode, with her cheese grater vocals, and lovely rich guitar, this is one of for me, dirty or not, its irresistible.

I’d love to go through every track, but space never allows, suffice to say I’m already sold. I’ll skip the lustful, ‘I Can’t Look You In The Eye’, and go straight to the slow lamentful moody blues of ‘5 am’, a sublime, sultry song, with Bex regretting her man leaving her alone in the early hours. Gorgeous guitar and the subtle support of Toby Baker’s Rhodes, bring a magical feel to this bruising, brooding beast. A complete change will find you in the, ‘Jungle’, rockabilly paced, with lovely barrel rollin’ piano will have you up and dancing like a loon.

Then your back in your own company again, sat at a, ‘Table For One’, bass heavy, and funky, with a great piano lead, this is a place I can’t go, but Bex fronts up, and goes out in six string style.

‘Fortuna’, is a full on crazy ride with driving rhythm, heavy piano front end, and Bex’s busy guitar floating underneath. Hectic, involving, its a hell of a helter-skelter ride, so hang on to the hand rail. I have to squeeze in, ‘Scrapyard Dog’, even the title is worth posting, but I love this, it throbs along, then Bex throws out her lyrics like so much waste, we’re bouncing along the gutter here. The swampy sound and tales of Liverpool gang fights draw you in, the resonator sprinkles its magic fairy dust across the piece, duck and dive as much as you like, you can’t avoid tripping out over this. The album closes out on a country flavoured ride across the South, full of sweet harmonies, lightening the load ready to re-run the whole damn lot again.

Bex Marshall, may have been keeping her powder dry for too long, but this one is packed full of explosive songs and fires straight and true. I for one will be seeking a copy.

Tracklisting;

1.       Preaching To The Choir

2.       Dirty Water

3.       I Can’t Look You In The Eye

4.       5am

5.       Jungle

6.       Table For One

7.       Fortuna

8.       Lay Down And Die

9.       Scrapyard Dog

10.     When Its Gone

Bex Marshall’s new album “Fortuna” is released by Dixiefrog Records on March 1^st. 
The album is available from www.bexmarshall.com and https://dixiefrog.com

Words Graham Munn

Walter Trout-Broken

Walter Trout, Broken available on Provogue/Mascot

The album was recorded at Kingsize Soundlabs in LA with producer Eric Corne.”This is our 15th album together,” calculates the bluesman. “Eric and I just have a way of working, man. A friend who came into the studio and watched us and said, ‘Man, you guys are like a machine’. It’s unspoken.”

A few collaborators joined Trout for the first time. “I thought my friend Beth Hart could relate to the title track, Broken,” he says of the warrior princess whose fiery vocals coil with his own. “Dee Snider from Twisted Sister put up a live cut of me on his Twitter and said: ‘Listen to this fucking guitar hero’. We started talking and became friends. He came into the studio, and I knew I had to write him a song. Bleed came about when we were pretty much done. My drummer Michael Leasure said to me, ‘Hey, Walter, you played with John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat, this is your 31st album and you’ve never played a boogie. What’s the deal?’ So I said, ‘OK, fuck it, let’s do a boogie’. I can kinda play harmonica, but I thought, ‘Let’s elevate this thing’. There’s a young harmonica player in England who’s the best I’ve ever heard, Will Wilde. He has the soul and the power of Paul Butterfield but couples that with blinding virtuoso technique.”

Another Year, another Trout album, Walter’s 31^st, Broken, featuring some vocal vibrato from the fabulous Beth Heart, Dee Snider from Twisted Sister and UK’s own, Will Wilde on harmonica. Broken is the title, it talks of a war torn world, destructive politics, economical failure, and I’ll throw in, a rapidly chaotic climate. Most things are fixable if we all try hard enough, maybe not the climate?

‘Broken’, is up front, with Walter opening the account, looking at the broken world of his past, Beth joins in for a duet, then takes a stupendous lead, her voice powerful, unmistakable. Walter’s guitar howls and weeps, before their voices come back together on this sizzling hot titular track. Hard on its heels is another stunner, ‘Turn And Walk Away’, with its acoustic, possibly resonator opening, swept aside by the vibrato of Will Wilde’s harp and a militaristic rhythm, the song building to a rock blues anthem. A great start, if that were all, I’d happily tuck an album under my arm, turn and walk away with a smile on my face. Walter at 72, has been through some rough patches, but can still mesmerise you with his music.

Crashing guitar chords slice through, before Will is released like a caged tiger, ‘Bleed’, is savage, cutting bloodletting rock, Walter’s telling us we got to be prepared bleed, for what we hold dear, but this proves a showcase for Will, as he bends and blends to the rhythm. We’re not halfway yet, and I’ve notched this up to “want vinyl” level. Harmonica opens the blues road journey of, ‘No Magic’, (on the streets), a modern cities, homeless, beggars, drug dealers and drug takers, on the streets, its a tale of survival, sadly reflected across cities worldwide, an urban hell, but a great song.

Dee Snider steps up, and for sure its going to be full on hard rock with screaming vocals from Dee, and blistering guitar riffs from Trout, ‘I’ve Had Enough’, too many people, too many lies, too much pain, this is ants in your pants, frenetic, and irresistible. Time to, ‘Breath’, with Walter in a much more soulful, country edged mood. Just Breath it in and chill, lovely.

The album closes out on, ‘Falls Apart’, I suppose you could say, that’s it; no hope for any of us, but its only a song, with jangling guitar chords, multitracked vocals, and electrifying string bending riffs. Its a sort of rock messiah, going out on a choral wave. In reality its a bit of black humour unwrapping, starting out Broken, its bound to Fall Apart.

Needless to say its a superb album, arguably his best since coming back from his battles with health, though the bar is damned high, seems that wild Trout can jump higher than a salmon to clear the bar.

Tracklist:

1. Broken (feat. Beth Hart)
2. Turn And Walk Away
3. Courage In The Dark
4. Bleed (feat. Will Wilde on Harmonica)
5. Talkin’ To Myself
6. No Magic (in the street )
7. I’ve Had Enough (feat. Dee Snider)
8. Love Of My Life
9. Breathe – written by Richard Gerstein
10. Heaven Or Hell
11. I Wanna Stay
12. Falls Apart

Available on Provogue/Mascot Label from March 1^st.https://lnk.to/WalterTrout

https://www.waltertrout.com

Words Graham Munn

The Bees Deluxe-Hallucinate

The Bees Deluxe, Hallucinate

In the words of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “and now for something completely different”. An album that opens with the cracked timbre of Brit frontman, songwriter and producer Conrad Warre, conceding to the slick rival in a ‘Shark Skinned Suit’, so much better than himself in every way. Not so, this song unwraps the fabulous blend of what is termed Acid Blues from the Boston based Bees Deluxe. An album full of quirky avant-garde lyrics that take in alien potholes, and the burnt toast taste of gasoline. 

Funk laced rhythms, keys, and cutting guitar, paint ‘When Is Yesterday’, an irresistible concoction of eclectic food tasting, closing out on lovely harmonica from Carol Band, keyboardist and fellow writer. I’m hooked, thinking, will it run out of steam, but then, ‘Another Close Shave’ kicks in, its cut throat razor sharp. Jazz fused blues, with a cut that bleeds into your soul, full of sticking plaster weirdl lyrics from a perpetual loser in life’s gamble. Simply divine, we’re only a few songs in and I’ve been royally stung by The Bees, start to finish this offbeat distinctly blues coloured cocktail is just what I need to lift my spirits, I pour a refill.

Listen out for the haunting, muted trumpet in the unsettling ‘Queen Midas’, “something is wrong”, no your just being pulled into the lair of a black widow, rescued by the silken thread of Carol Band’s lovely piano intermission, ‘How to Play 96 Tears’. A close call, only to be stopped by a charge of, ‘Nitro’-glycerine, and the fuse is about to be ignited, ah well, lose yourself in the heady blend of double bass, saxophones, and trumpet, stitched together by Jared Egan’s guitar and the rhythm line.  ‘What’s Wrong With Me’, best ask other’s for their opinions, I don’t fit any mold, but I know what I like, Vive le Difference. A wonderful groove, the double bass dropping deep foundations, lyrics are completely off the wall, all carried beautifully by the vibe that hesitates, takes a breath, then sweeps back in like, “being hit by a falling tree”, what’s wrong with me? Absolutely nothing, a superb closure to an outstandingly diverse, yet fully stitched together album.

Hallucinate is as much an artwork as Salvador Dale’s melting timepieces or Magritte’s Art Of Conversation, it deserves a listen, better still, ownership, who wouldn’t want to own such a masterpiece of finely crafted musical surrealism? 

Tracks;

Sharkskin Suit

When Is Yesterday

Another Close Shave

Scared

Queen Midas

How To Play 96 Tears

Nitro Call Me Frank

Men & Women

Gary Burton’s Ex Guitar Player

Houdini

What’s Wrong With Me

Conspirators;

Carol Band – keyboards, vocals and harmonica

Poogie Bell – drums (Nitro)

Allyn Dorr – bass and vocals

Jared Egan – guitar (Sharkskin Suit) 

Joe Egan – keyboards and mentoring

 James Gildea – bass and vocals

Paul Giovine – drums and percussion

Adam Sankowski – bass guitar

Conrad Warre – guitar, bass, vocals, trumpet, and keys

beesdeluxe.com                               

facebook.com/beesdeluxe

Words Graham Munn

Kenny Wayne Shepherd-Dirt On My Diamonds (volume 1)

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dirt On My Diamonds, (volume 1)

available on Provogue/Mascot Label Records from November 17th

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been riding the crest of a wave for a while now, its a wave that’s rising ever higher, driven on by Kenny’s storming performances. This album, Dirt On My Diamonds, all but charts that journey, Volume 1 teases with what lies ahead on his travels. Its an eight track fiery recording that will undoubtedly satisfy his followers as well as win over many more, me included.

The album opens with the titular track, a blistering, gritty, ‘Dirt On My Diamonds’, he’s laying down his cards fro the drift of the album, not everything is perfect, but it is real, honest and bites hard. ‘Sweet Low’, starts with a few bars of mellow muted trumpet  and sax, exploding into a punchy funk edged rock blues, with Kenny chasing his sweet mama. Dirty guitar and sqauwk’in pedal muddy’s the water, before the chase continues, undercut with the moan of ecstasy!  

Wah, Wah, Wah, “grandma standing in the welfare line”, and into the sweat and toil of working the road, looking for that break, ‘Best Of Times’, is frenetic, edgy a rock groove that’s impossible to get out of your head, as Kenny plays, “playing every dive to the Mississippi line”, keeping the repo man from the door. 

Three down and everyone a sizzling hot barbecued belter. A more soulful Shepherd delivers, ‘You Can’t Love Me’, arguably the chill track of the selection, a lovely breathing space.

The only cover on the album is Elton John’s, ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’, and though its hard to overlook the seismic original, this is pretty damned good, complete with boogieing piano, Elton’s going into retirement, maybe, KWS is fighting for a slice of the pie, and he’s knocking down the contenders as he goes. He’s still up and punching hard with, ‘Bad Intentions’, in mind, a cheeky Southern rock with wailing guitar as he keeps his eye on the girl.

The recording closes out on a full on blues with beautifully fingered, honey rich guitar, ‘Ease My Mind’ is a gorgeous throbbing blues, the solo lead is fabulous, no fancy gimmicks, distortion, pedalling, reverb, nought, just superlative finger work. In an album stuffed full of great songs, this is the one tasty morsel I’m itching to take a second helping of, and believe me, its out of a feast of goodies I’d happily overindulge from.

In the past, I’ve been sat on the fence with respect to Kenny, I have enjoyed many of his recent co-operations on different albums, now I’ve fallen from my perch, landing face first in the dirt, and gotten up covered in diamonds! Kenny Wayne Shepherd has come out of the studio with some devilish alchemy that is totally addictive. A final word from the man himself, “Every record I make is a moment in time. And this is a really special moment.”. A special moment, yes, now, about that Volume 2?

Tracklisting;

1. Dirt On My Diamonds
2. Sweet & Low
3. Best Of Times
4. You Can’t Love Me
5. Man On A Mission
6. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
7. Bad Intentions
8. Ease On My Mind

https://www.kennywayneshepherd.net/

http://mascotlabelgroup.com/

Words Graham Munn

Austin “Walkin'” Cane-Murder Of A Blues Singer

Austin “Walkin’” Cane, Murder Of A Blues Singer

Murder Of A Blues Singer, was originally recorded in 2008, but not on general release, its an album inspired by Robert Lockwood, who was to have featured, but passed away just before the recording session. I’m really pleased to see this out on general release, its an amazing set of songs that are marinated in the mud, blood and flowing waters of the Mississippi Delta from Clarksdale to New Orleans.

The album opens with the wonderful deep, gnarled timbre of Austin’s voice, guitar, and nowt else, ‘Highway Lemon Girl’, he’s heaven bound, his lady’s a tramp, but she’ll spread his ashes around the world. Good old fashioned blues, and lovely to behold. Darker still is the superb ballad, ‘Murder Of A Blues Singer’, that blues man is Robert Johnson in all but words. Atmospheric with just enough percussion and electric slide to add shape, this seeps into your soul, and has to be replayed. More madassed, is the driving boogie rhythm of, ‘The Devil’s Backbone’, a journey up along the Mississippi, lyrics are fired out like a shopping list, its infectious fun, you won’t keep your feet still to this song. Colin Dussault adds some lovely harp accompaniment to a ‘Step It Up And Go’, a full on electric, rocking blues, before Austin turns to a classic. He’s got, ‘Ramblin’ On My Mind’, acoustic with guitar and Dussault’s harp, its beautifully stark, as it should be. The harmonica solo is a delight, before Cane’s deep voice cuts back in. This is back porch blues at its finest.

Closing out the 10 track collection is a sublime solo effort from Austin, ‘See That My Grave Is Kept Clean’. A sombre subject, but the delivery of that message is absolutely riveting. Just acoustic guitar accompanies, with the addition of some angelic choir adding  essential atmosphere to this slow lament.

This album that’s taken so long to be released widely, is an absolute gem, must for any lover of traditionally based blues, and anyone else who appreciates the bedrock of the more electric charged growth of Chicago and onwards. Its been a privilege to have investigated the Murder Of A Blues Singer.

Tracklisting;

1        High Rent Lemon Girl, Aren’t Ya

2        Murder Of A Blues Singer

3        Devil’s Backbone

4        Step It Up – Go

5        Ramblin – On My Mind

6        Georgia Moon

7        Graveyard Town

8        Hold On The Night

9        Late Great Singer

10      See That My Grave Is Kept Clean

Band;

Austin ‘Walkin’ Cane, vocals & slide guitar; Michael Bay, guitar; Mike Barrick, bass; Jim Wall, drums; and guests, Colin Dussault, harmonica; Eroc Siniski, vocals.

Murder Of A Blues Singer, was inspired by an after hours diner conversation with blues legend Robert Jr. Lockwood. “The stories were flowing like the grease off our plates”,

Out Now, on Record Label: HOBOVILLE Band & Label Pool

https://www.walkincane.com/

Words Graham Munn

Robin Trower with Sari Schorr-Joyful Sky

Robin Trower, with Sari Schorr, Joyful Sky

available on the Provogue/Mascot Label from October 27th

I feel that for some, Robin Trower is one of those Marmite musicians, you either like what you hear, or not, there’s no grey area. Whatever the reality, I’ve reviewed a few of Trower’s albums in the past, and not had a problem, though I do like Marmite! This is something different, featuring Sari Schorr on vocals, I feel there are few who could engage lyrically with Robin like she does. Sari’s deep husky vocals are a perfect fit for the double knit, hair shirt guitar of Trower’s that some find so itchy to wear. The cloth woven for a more comfortable fit.

The album slinking in from the shadows sparking up, ‘Burn’, with Sari’s voice smoking over the glowing embers of Trower’s guitar, a cosy, warm opener. Its relationships on the edge, followed by the declaration, ‘I’ll Be Moving On’. The rhythm quickening, as determination set in, Sari lifting her voice to the heavens as she closes the door on the song.  

The album peers into life’s journey, no more so than, ‘Distance’ where Sari looks back at the years travelled, the optimism of youth, the reality of what was achieved. Dark, the lyrics somehow shoehorned into the muddy guitar cut furrow seeded by all those plans. Robin’s guitar gets very heavy in places, driving on the piece, somehow engaging me, with its intensity, (Marmite lover!) is it really so far removed from the mess of society we all live in today? The titular, song, lifts the veil, it has a feeling of a Bond film opener, a grandeur that tells us not to miss that moment of opportunity stumbled into, that can change our future. Meanwhile, the world keeps turning in the, ‘Joyful Sky’. This is a heavy journey through life, harkening back to the days of prog rock, a meaty, ‘Circle Is Complete’, is a full 10+ minutes, a deceptive view of celebrity and fame, ending the journey with a beautifully delivered, ‘I Will Always Be Your Shelter’.

Yes the album is dark, the distinct duality of Robin’s guitar is tightly knitted throughout, Sari weaves often tricky lyrical phrasing into a tapestry of colour forming the whole picture of a Joyful Sky lighting up a new dawn. The more I play this, the more I like it, Joyful Sky sits well with Trower’s recent albums, Closer To The Day, and No More Worlds To Conquer, looking back over near 60 years of thick stringed guitar wizardry. Schorr and Trower are a wonderful combination, this album has been given an extra dimension, it has gravitas, if Sari tours with Robin, I’ll be there.

Tracklisting;

1        Burn

2        I’ll Be Moving On

3        The Distance

4        Peace Of Mind

5        Change It

6        Joyful Sky

7        Need For You

8        The Circle Is Complete

9        Flatter To Deceive

10      I Will Always Be Your Shelter.

http://www.robintrower.com/

http://www.sarischorr.com/http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/

Words Graham Munn

Photo Blackham Images

Dom Martin-Buried In The Hail

Dom Martin; Buried In The Hail

(photo Jim Peal)

Multi Award winning artist Dom Martin’s new album follows on from the critically acclaimed Savage Life release. Belfast man, Martin, seems the natural progression from a line of renowned Blues artists that have come out of Ireland, arguably labelled the ‘new Rory Gallagher’, his influences of course include Rory, but also John Martin, amongst others, and lets not overlook that other Bluesman from Belfast, Gary Moore. Buried In The Hail, is an 11 track album, a wonderful feast of both acoustic and electrically charged songs with his band, Ben Graham on bass/double bass, and Jonny Mcllroy on drums.

The album opens with a delightful acoustic intro, ‘Hello In There’, that has the chatter and laughter of children at play in the background. Drum thumps in, Dom’s smokey vocals grab you by the ears and pull you up for the punchy lilt of, ‘Daylight I Will Find’, “don’t you never ever change your mind”, not likely, I’m hooked at this point, whatever life throws at you, look for that brighter outlook on the horizon.

‘Government’, has distinctly Irish folk roots, Dom in a mellow, reflective mood, which completely contrasts with the grit, spit, and grazed knuckles of the superb,’Belfast Blues’, running like the Liffey through that city that carries so much baggage from its troublesome past. Martin struggled through his youth finding his way through the seedier side of Belfast life, he “got the shovel and dug the hole, threw myself in, and watched myself grow”, its a marvellous sort of ‘Saturday nights alright for fighting’, that attests to an enduring love of the city of his birth.

How do you follow that maelstrom of tear-arsed blues, well you turn to Willie Nelson and a song made famous by Patsy Cline, ‘Crazy’, an acoustic bled song opened traditionally, a breath, a crying electric solo, and full band taking the song to a different dimension. A beautiful take on a song that filled the airways back in the early ‘60’s, not all was rock’n’roll and Brit rock especially in the States.

This is an album full of gorgeous songs difficult to ignore, but I’ll exert some self control, hurdle the distorted dirty dirge of, ‘Unhinged’, (like eating the finest pasta drenched in a vindaloo sauce) and step into the beauty of birdsong and fingerpicking finery, ‘The Fall’. A song about our disjointed world, people falling out, instead of working together for the future, but there is forever hope. There’s a whiff of Beale Street blues in Dom’s tribute to the Wolf man, in the skiffling ‘Howlin’.

We find our way to the storming, disjointed, ‘Buried In The Hail’. Rain falls, clouds crash, a crowd babbles in the background, whilst the guitar cuts through the atmosphere like shards of ice laden rain. At times unsettling, it stuns yet demands attention, your knocked to the canvas, battered and bruised, but you have to get up and go back for more. Superb.   

Two bullets in the head and left in the street, a bit from Belfast’s dark history? maybe, ‘Lefty 2 Guns’, says it all, a gorgeous electric solo, leaves its mark as surely as the chalk outline of the fallen. ‘Laid To Rest’, would seem a natural conclusion, and indeed it closes off this album, like the intro, its all too short and sweet, tightly anchored strings, and slapped acoustic, take you by surprise, like so much of this fabulous collection of songs, it leaves you intrigued, completely under its spell.

This is one Hailstorm I’m happy to be caught out in, Dom Martin, continues to build on his unique music, looking back over past experiences, looking forward to new ones, what’s to dislike? absolutely nothing, Buried In The Hail, is a must have, Dom Martin a must see artist, he remains, raw, edgy and very real.

Track Listing;

1        Hello In There

2        Daylight I Will Find

3        Government

4        Belfast Blues

5        Crazy

6        Unhinged

7        The Fall

8        Howlin’

9        Buried In The Hail

10      Lefty 2 Guns

11      Laid To Rest

Buried In The Hail is available now on 40 Below Records

https://www.dommart.in/

Words Graham Munn