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and you can sense the crowd quite simply enjoying themselves. Elles Bailey is a fine singer on top
of her game and has an almost effortless feel to her voice which makes it so endearing. She has
assembled a fine band of musicians that work really well together and Demi Marriner’s
contribution on backing vocals adds a nice touch with harmonies that remind me of the band,
Little Big Band.

Whilst this is not strictly hard nosed blues, more of a blues / Americana crossover, it is music that
I am sure will appeal to a blues audience and as this great live album shows; Elles Bailey goes
from strength to strength, please give it a spin.
Ged Wilson

Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls—Live & Undead From
Temperance—Voodoo Shack Records

Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls are a three piece blues band well
known on the British blues scene and across Europe for their wild
live shows of early vaudeville style blues. As the name suggests this
is a live album recorded at the iconic venue the Temperance in
Leamington Spa.

Jo gives us an introduction of what’s in store before the band hit
into a bluesy riff with ‘Alligator Blood’. ‘Crazy Little Demon In Love’
is another dark tale whilst there is some nice bass driven blues to
be had on ‘The Zombie’.

The dramatic tales continue with ‘She Got Him (With Her Voodoo)’ and a dark tale of seduction
with ‘Dose Of Your Medicine’. There’s some good blues riffing to be had on ‘Not A Bone’ and a
great rock and roll feel to ‘Good Time’. Jo tells us don’t let them in when you hear them knocking
on the door on ‘Bonereaders’ and it’s all rocking down at the cemetery with ‘Little Dead Lovin’.

I have to say at this point that this album is not really my bag and I do find it a little repetitive and
“samey” throughout. I did find it quite exhaustive at times and maybe they could benefit from
tweaking the dynamics a little with some light and shade but I digress. In fairness to get the full
impact of the band you need the benefit of the visual aspect to their show which is obviously
missing here. So, please don’t let me put you off, give it a spin and see what you think.
Ged Wilson

Cedric Burnside—Hill Country Love—Provogue ASIN :
B0CS5GFGPX

Cedric Burnside started his career as the drummer in his
grandfather R.L. Burnside’s band and even though he has now
switched to guitar and vocals he has stayed true to his grandfather’s
style of raw hill country blues. This album was recorded in just two
days in a vacant building in Ripley, Mississippi with Patrick Williams
(harmonica) and Artemas LeSueur (drums) and with Luther
Dickinson producing as well as playing slide guitar and bass. ‘I
Know’ starts us off - a rhythmic, hypnotic blues shuffle and the title
track is more of the same but funked up, while Bukka White’s ‘Shake
‘Em On Down’ (as also done by gramps) is just vocals and acoustic
slide guitar.