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

God Save The King-Another Hero Is Dead

God Save The King-Another Hero Is Dead

Back, long before we actually had a king, a rag-taggle group of musical misfits, all well known on the Hereford and Worcester scene through various different outfits formed something of a local indie-punk super-under the God Save The King monicker.

The band delivered one EP, one album and a football anthem, Big Balls,  that in an alternative universe (or perhaps just my head) became the unofficial England Euros 2014 campaign soundtrack. GSTK turned heads with their tongue-in-cheek sing-a-longs, gathering plaudits comparisons as far reaching as The Kinks, The Fall and The Futurehearts or Art Brut covering Total Eclipse Of The Heart (as according to Pop Art London) if you prefer.

So what did God Save King do to capitalise on the press inches and growing fanbase…erm well they dispersed for nigh on a decade to explore new ventures, but erm,, it’s alright they’re back now and they’ve come armed with a hatful of singles, a forthcoming brand new album (the mythical second) and a colourful array of pastel jackets and navel hats that screams that they’re back in business.

The first single to be lifted, Another Hero Is Dead sees GSTK pay homage to yesterdays heroes, name checking everyone from Leonard Nimoy and Corey Haim to Bowie, Nina Simone and the big man, Jesus H Christ himself. Opening with a pretty, acoustic guitar melody, Pete Adams (yep him of all the bands..again) moves between a half croon and that addictive indie yelp we’ve all come to expect, as guitarist Adam Daffurn steps up the power, whilst the rhythm section of Micheal D. Wynn (bass) and Ben Cullimore (drums) lay down a glorious lurching groove, hooking you in before you have the chance to realise that you’re essentially dancing to a list of names!!

All I can say is rejoice, God Save The King are back to reclaim their thrones and add a bit of much needed colour to an otherwise dreary world.

www.facebook.com/wearegstk

www.godsavetheking.bandcamp.com

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/album/7jvx3HhRAcq5YPMrJIorCq?si=SIxa4IbPRseRceKOOh7x9A

APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/another-hero-is-dead/1732875490?i=1732875491

BANDCAMP: https://godsavetheking.bandcamp.com

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

Elles Bailey-Live At The Fire Engine

Elles Bailey; Live At The Fire Station

Elles has become prolific in her musical offerings, laid before her multitudes of fans, and as a long standing supporter, who am I to argue. Her latest offering, Live At The Fire Station, wonderfully captured in Scunthorpe, is a selection of 15 songs from her extensive catalogue.

The album openswith Joe Wilkins howling, almost feral, guitar, taking us down the slippery slope into a pulsating, ‘The Game’. Elles is on top form with what must be the best UK band out there, and I mean regardless of genre. Look into the tracklist and you’ll find a number of co-writers, and a couple of covers, but Ms Bailey fairly dominates. Up there with the monumental ‘Game’, is ‘Stones’, don’t throw ‘em, close your eyes, and you’ll feel Elles using that stage, ‘selling’ her lyrics to the crowd. Hendo’s Hammond swirls around the auditorium, this is a Bailey classic, strong rhythm, Joe’s unique guitar, and the choral backing from upcoming singer songwriter, Demi Marriner. ‘Perfect Storm’, just about sums it up, perfect, so nothing more to add! This is the first full band, Live recording and its stuffed full of great music, not least the tale of devious dealings in, ‘Medicine Man’, Joe’s on slide, peeling back the lid, Elles is peddling the snake ointment to all, a brilliant rock edged elixir, with the Bailey hot smoked voice out front. Up there with the crooked dealers are the, ‘Cheats And Liars’, another throbbing disclosure of the murky waters full of sharks, and the band’s in full flow.

All of which leads you to Elles with a ‘Hole In My Pocket’, the smokey timbre never more evident in this lovely song that suddenly bursts into a full on blues rocker, burning out as abruptly as it fired in. No matter, you know she will be, ‘Riding Out The Storm’, soon enough, the band all fire and brimstone, a real floor filler. How do you follow that, well you jet off to, ‘Sunshine City’, and close the door on the way out, Demi adds a great lead gospel like chorus call, keep an eye on this girl. A sizzling, red hot, finale.

OK, so Elles Bailey is not full on blues, there’s plenty of soulful Americana in this set, plus a generous peppering of melodic rock, but she’s our very own multi award winning lady of the Blues and long may it be so. The band is peerless, Joe has been riding this perfect storm from the start, Jonny Henderson is superb on keys, the rhythm section are the biz. I’m sure I don’t need to ‘sell’ this to you, this is an exceptionally fine Live recording, suffice to say, my order for very special vinyl is in, that’s recommendation enough.

TrackList;

The Game                               (Elles Bailey, Ashton Tucker, Will Edmunds)
Stones                                     (Elles Bailey, Tamara Stewart, Will Edmunds)
Colours Start To Run            (Elles Bailey, Alex Maile)
Perfect Storm                          (Elles Bailey)
Spinning Stopped                  (Elles Bailey. Ed Blunt)
Shining in the Half Light       (Elles Bailey, Craig Lackey)
Help Somebody                      (Elles Bailey, Bobby Wood)
Medicine Man                        (Elles Bailey, Will Edmunds)
Halfway House                       (Elles Bailey, Ashton Tucker, Will Edmunds)
Cheats and Liars                             (Elles Bailey, Ashton Tucker)
Over the Hill                           (John Martyn)
Hole in my Pocket                  (Elles Bailey, Matt Owens)
Long as I See the Light                    (John Fogerty)
Riding Out the Storm            (Elles Bailey, Joe Wilkins)
Sunshine City                         (Elles Bailey, Matt Owens)

http://www.ellesbailey.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ellesbailey/

https://ellesbailey.shop

Live at The Fire Station is available from March 1^st,  you can order now at Elles Bailey’s shop

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

Ma Polaines’s Great Decline-Small Town

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline, Small Town EP

It is a long time since seeing Ma Polaine, and when this little EP popped up, I had to have a listen, ok, there are two songs which have been on previous albums, but there is also a song from an album due early ‘24.

Some of you will be familiar with, ‘Small Town’, a lovely, slow, slinky ballad, has Beth’s unique delivery, accompanied by sparse brushed percussion and Clinton’s gentle guitar. It’s oddly dark, loneliness, as life dwindles, outside folks talk about you but not with you. This is a typical observational song from the band, nothing too cheery, but then, look how the world is right now!

 The other song of standing is, ‘Old Fashion Goodbye’, wonderfully uplifting? No, just wonderful, tambourine, wistful, spaghetti western harp, and slow pulse pulls you in. A bottle of whiskey, Delta Blues, wrap me up and drop me in the hole, sounds fair enough to me, though I’d fancy going New Orleans style, and a pyrotechnic blaze to light the sky, wouldn’t want to spill that whiskey in the dusk. Savoury, dark and delicious like bite of 100% pure chocolate.

New is, ‘End Of The Line’, which seems to fit in well with the other songs, but it is far more upbeat, racy even, from Beth and Clinton, this is more about an enduring relationship to the end of time itself. The song hints at a different style for the ensuing album, Beth’s vocals are as timeless as ever, Clinton does what Clinton does, quietly and very effectively, there is drum and bass evident on these songs, though I’ve only ever seen them live as a duo. I’m looking forward to grappling with the new album, and hopefully catch Ma Polaine’s Great Divide, sometime in the near future. A truly delightful EP, maybe it suits my demeanour, (no comment needed) I hope it becomes available in hard copy, but currently its a digital download.

https://mapolaine.bandcamp.com/album/small-town

Track list;

1        End Of The Line

2        Small Town

3        Old Fashioned Goodbyehttps://www.mapolaine.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