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‘Spirit Wrestlers’ references a piece of wood used on the guitar that was sourced from a grain
elevator built by Russian immigrants to Canada. This is a slow bluesy number with some nice slide
guitar, liked this one. ‘Take a Seat’ is about a seat from Massey Hall that has been used in the
headstock of the guitar and there is some lovely trumpet on this track. The final track ‘Les
Chansons Du Voyageur’ is a discovery and tribute to the aforementioned guitar and all the sounds
including percussion are created on the guitar itself creating some interesting vibes.

This is not a blues album. I would class it more as an acoustic folk, roots album. All the songs are
very well crafted with lovely interesting lyrics which perhaps explains David’s string of songwriting
awards. His voice is sometimes reminiscent of Kelly Jones from The Stereophonics and he has a
great vocal delivery. All in all a very interesting project and well worth a listen.

Ged Wilson

Adam Schultz - Soulful Distancing - Blue Heart Records

Adam Schultz is a new name to me, born in 2002 and raised in
New York City so he is still in his teens. This album has five
songs written by Adam mixed in with some cover songs. Adam’s
primary role is guitar and Clarence Spady (veteran bluesman
from New Jersey) has surrounded Shultz with some fine
musicians and singers for this release.

The album opens with Johnny Guitar Watson’s ‘A real Mother for
Ya’ which is a great jazz/soul/funk blues that has that Johnny
Guitar Watson vibe and does not venture far from the original.
‘Good Conversation’ a Schultz song is more soulful and has that
Marvin Gaye feel from ‘Mercy Mercy Me’. ‘Harlem Tonight’
another Schultz tune hhas a hint of Bill Withers and some nice Hammond organ.

Schultz’s ‘Toxic Medicine’ is a slow blues whilst the old Tyrone Davis song ‘Can I Change my Mind’
has that old style soul sound of a Booker T or a Sam and Dave. The album closes with Roosevelt
Sykes ‘44 Blues’ another slow blues.

Whilst it would appear that Clarence Spady has played his part mentoring Schultz this album does
not particularly showcase young Adam’s talents and although there are some great musicians that
play really well on this album it does tend to get a bit “samey”. I’m not totally convinced by this
album as it appears to be finding its way and just seems to be missing something, but hey that’s just
my personal opinion.

Hopefully Adam can go on from this and start to develop his own sound and style. The years are in
his favour so I look forward to hearing his next release.

Ged Wilson

Cass Clayton Band—City Noise—Independent (Single)

(www.cassclayton.com)

Cass Clayton is a female singer based in Denver, Colorado and
the leader of a band that plays blues, funk, soul and rock. They
have had two well-received albums, and ‘City Noise’ is a taster
for their next one. This almost four minutes long track is a
nicely-understated slow-ish track, with Cass’s vocal and the song
itself flitting seamlessly between blues and soul, both with a

jazzy touch thanks to the excellent bass playing.