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A Shovel’ as well as being a great title is a great upbeat country tune too with some
tasty pedal steel guitar from Chris Hillman. The album closes with a reflective ode

to his daughters with ‘Kite’.

There is a really good feel factor to this album. I like the way it has been put

together and produced. The sparing use of bass and percussion sits well and the
piano work from Paddy Milner really hits the spot as you might expect from such

an accomplished player.

Martin’s songs are so well composed with interesting melodies and simple poi-

gnant lyrics such as the last line on ‘Stranger’ “…I don’t live here anymore” really
hits home. His guitar work is exemplary throughout making every note count
rather than overplaying. He has such a warm seasoned voice that sucks you into

the lyric and keeps you tuned in. This album is like an old friend on a lonely night
and I urge you all to go and give it a spin.

Ged Wilson

The Terraplanes Blues Band—Live At Temper-

ance—Self Release

UK Blues Award winners The Terraplanes Blues

Band are well known on these shores as a main head-
line act across the blues clubs and festivals and they
are building a strong following within the blues com-

munity. As the name suggests “Live At Temperance”
captures the band on stage doing their stuff.

The album opens with ‘Midnight Train’ a cracking upbeat blues rocker. ‘Voodoo
Blues’ has that Rollin’ and Tumblin’ feel to it. The band do their own take on the
classic Robert Johnson number, ‘Walking Blues’ and there is another classic in

there too with ‘Help Me’.

Nick goes solo on guitar and vocal with a stripped back version of ‘Me And The

Devil Blues’ before he teams up with Eduardo on harmonica for another Robert
Johnson classic ‘Love In Vain’. The full band get back together for the instantly
recognisable ’Spider And The Fly’.

There is a real nice gentle feel to the old Leadbelly classic ‘CC Rider’ with such a

lovely vocal from Nick, really liked this one. There is no mistaking the distinctive
sound of ‘Little Red Rooster’ before they close the show and really rock the joint
with ‘Rattlesnake Blues’. Inevitably an encore ensues and they close the album with
the old gospel blues number ‘John The Revelator’.