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fusion of understated guitar and simmering organ. ‘World’s Gone Crazy,’ eases one in, with a
driving, shivering slide and primeval vocal, then turns into a swampy slide with a vocal that

bemoans the current life of the common working man, the slightly more cheering ‘South of South
Hill’ is a drum led hip swaying refreshing boogie. ‘Can’t Eat That Stuff No More’ is CD’s good
humoured bluesy walking, talking moan about his dieting experiences. The prowling, lunging
saxophone and sinuously dexterous guitar make for a splendid cover of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Hey Joe.’

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman.

Various Artists—Crawling up a Hill : A Journey through the
British Blues Boom 1966—1971—Grape Fruit Records—
Crsegbox068

Man, talk about 'avin' flash backs! Here's a three cd box set that'll
do just that to BiTS readers of a certain age. From John Mayall's
Bluesbreakers (natch) to Status Quo, Chicken Shack, Mungo Jerry
and many other names from those years that you may, or may
not remember.

Many of the tracks featured are 'previously unissued', like the
Duster Bennett ‘Jumping At Shadows’, which would eventually
be recorded with backing from Fleetwood Mac for Duster's debut album 'Smiling Like I'm Happy'.
Others are 'live' tracks by The Yardbirds, Savoy Brown and Blodwyn Pig.

To be perfectly honest, listening to some of these tracks today make me cringe somewhat, I feel the
same about some of my early offerings too, but back then I guess we were all wrapped up in the
music that was readily available to us before discovering the genuine stuff. Although, it has to be
said, I found much here that bordered on heavy rock more than blues. Something that was picked
up on at the time by those who were trying their best to stick with blues.... "Some of the bands that
have sprung up since the increased interest in the blues are doing it a great disservice. If we go back
to the basic music, those who've jumped on the bandwagon won't be able to follow. You can't learn

the music like homework!" (John Dummer, 1969)

Regardless of my personal thoughts, there's much here to enjoy. A brilliant version of Willie Dixon's
‘Wang Dang Doodle’ by Love Sculpture, who of course featured the ultra talented Dave Edmunds.
‘Nothin' In Ramblin'’ from Jo—Ann Kelly, The Brunning Sunflower Blues Band with Peter Green,

John Mayall, Duster Bennett, Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts. There's a rather beautiful and
haunting ‘This Love Of Old’ by Medicine Head, which, with the right treatment, could possibly
become a good soul ballad.

As an historical documentation of the times, this three cd set is probably gonna be the best

representation available. Complete with full colour booklet full of everything you need to know
about the tracks and the acts. Go on, take yourself back for a nostalgia trip.

Bob Pearce