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Anne Harris—Over—Independent (Single)

Anne Harris is a violinist from Chicago, and you might have
come across her with the likes of Guy Davis, Walter Trout, with

Jefferson Starship in the role once occupied by Papa John
Creach, or during her long spell with Otis Taylor. The latter is
perhaps the most relevant for this release, a moody piece
running to four and a half minutes long, a little akin to Otis’
“trance blues” style.

This impression is underlined by the use of banjo over modern

beats, a deep groove and a slightly distorted vocal. Presumably
it is Markus James who plays the banjo, as he wrote the song
and has a strong interest in the older forms of American roots music.

Whatever, this is an intriguing and different piece of blues/ Americana and I look forward to
hearing more, please!

Norman Darwen

(www.annneharris.com)

True Strays—Take What You Want from Me—Independent

True Strays are a Bristol-based band specializing in Americana,
but on this single they go for a strong but subtle blues-rock
approach, with slide guitar featuring strongly in the mix. It is a
strong offering that almost didn’t make it. Just as the band were
readying a tour, prestigious festival appearances and a new

album, along came COVID-19. Thankfully, Joseph James and
James Cameron persevered, with the help of their fanbase, and
this fine track will be featured on their soon-to-be-released
album, “Heart Of The Matter”. In the meantime, do check this
out.

Norman Darwen

(www.truestrays.com)

Donna Hourigan—The Turnaround—Independent

The striking front cover photograph suggests a strong, big voiced
vocalist and the opener, ‘I Don’t Fall For That’confirms that
impression, a powerful piece of Hendrix-influenced blues-rock. It
is followed by a remastered version of the 2019 single, ‘No Road

Map’, a slow-ish blues that makes a fine contrast with its teasing
vocal, brittle guitar work and organ cushion – rather nice!

Donna is from Brisbane, Australia, had a fine CD EP a couple of
years ago fronting the Lucky Lips Band (now known as The
Turnaround, as in the album title, with Donna’s son Joel
Hourigan on guitar), and this set is rather nicely varied.

‘Something In You’ is controlled and thoughtful with some excellent restrained organ playing. The