Page 57 - BiTS_05_MAY_2024_Neat

lifestyle. They even encourage gambling on that last number, wagering a part of one’s anatomy,

I believe. I shall certainly refrain from commenting on the licentious activities being promoted
on ‘Dance to The Blues’.

However, I would certainly advise lead singer Brandon Stallard to desist from smoking those
cigars – it has obviously left its mark on his voice, which is now rather grizzled, as evidenced by
his vocal on ‘If You’re Gonna Leave’ (as my old form teacher would have written in red ink –
“Spelling!”). I doubt he’d be able to croon smoothly even if he wanted to, which I doubt, but at
least harmonica player Mark “Bluesboy” Kanter doesn’t seem to have any breathing problems to
judge from his lengthy break on the same song.

Never mind the rock and roll band – this should be rock and roll banned! I’m going to lie down
with some nice Mantovani…
Mary Whitehouse Darwen

Echo Räsänen – Fine Bone Frame – Kaiku & Kieku Kk Cd 23

(www.facebook.com/echorasanen/)

This is a five track CD EP (his second release under this name)
from an experienced Finnish roots music performer focussing here
on the blues, and backed by some fine and versatile musicians from
his Joensuu locale. The tracks run from blues standards adapted
to modern Americana-ish tinged settings, as on the opening ‘Sitting
On Top Of The World’ and ‘Railroad Bill’ to a rock and roll
flavoured cover of Slim Harpo’s ‘Got Love If You Want It’ and ‘Deep

River Blues’ with banjo as suits this country number. The odd one
out is Echo’s own composition, ‘You’re Surely Keen to Rag’, which
leans noticeably towards classic southern rock in the vein of The Allman Brothers. So, not quite
what I was expecting, but all the better for it!
Norman Darwen

Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train – Red, Hot & Blue – Independent

(www.glennmaraisandthemojotrain.ca)

This Canadian four-piece band, led by singer and guitarist Glenn
Marais, has a pretty powerful sound – listen to the aptly named
‘Super Funk’. They have a rock-tinged sound of course, but the
description “blues-rock” doesn’t really tell the full story.

‘That’s Where My Mojo’s At’ has a fine, jerky rhythm, unfettered
slide guitar, and uncredited blues harp in the backing. ‘Love Denied’
is a loud rootsy rock number, which reminds me musically of Joe
Cocker, whilst the title track is a fine, slow-ish blues, and ‘It All
Went Down’ has a louder, dirtier blues-rock sound.

‘Love Sweet Love’ is a piece of sweet soul with a subtle funk and rock tinge, and ‘Hold Me High’
reprises the band’s dirty funk sound, whilst ‘Pink Lemonade’ reminds me of 80s jazz-fusion! ‘Can’t
You See’ is a soul-rock number with just the slightest hint of reggae, and ‘Professor Day’ closes
out this rather fine set with a powerful instrumental containing some particularly dirty sax playing.