Page 37 - BiTS_10_OCTOBER_2020

It is certainly more varied than many albums that are tagged “blues-rock”. Yes, there are some out-

and-out rock tracks, but I was more than a little (pleasantly) surprised to hear far more Celtic
influences than I remembered, and the occasional jazz inflection. But of course, the main influence
is the blues, and there are plenty of songs that fit into that category, from acoustic numbers to full-
blown blues-rock - even a Rolling Stones inflected number with ‘Edged In Blue’.

The material spans the years from Rory’s early recordings as the leader of Taste (four numbers), to
one track from a posthumous release. There is also a previously unissued out-take of Rory with

rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis tackling ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ from Lewis’ ‘London
Sessions’ in 1973, which is also being released as a limited edition vinyl 45.

Rory’s influence has grown along with his already formidable reputation since his death, and this
set shows why. This is top-notch blues and rock. This release is available on single and double CD

(15 and 30 tracks respectively), double vinyl LPs, and digital formats - whichever you choose, you’ll
appreciate why Rory is so revered these days.

Norman Darwen

Jimmy Regal and the Royals—Late Night Chicken—Own Label

Late night chicken? Many touring bands will empathise, even if
they might currently be missing this delicacy due to a lack of gigs.

This raw sounding trio of Joff Watkins on harmonica and vocals,
guitarist and main songwriter CJ Williams, and drummer /

percussionist Sammy Samuels make a big, driving, energetic
sound. As they put it, their influences come from North
Mississippi/ New Orleans/ South London, with the former
perhaps the most immediately apparent, thanks to the band’s
fondness for the style of the Fat Possum recordings by the likes of T-Model Slim or R.L. Burnside.

On this, their second album, they even include a cover of Junior Kimbrough’s ‘All Night Long’, as

well as Howling Wolf’s great ‘Commit A Crime’, before closing with Jerry Byrne’s wonderful rocker
(co-penned by Mac Rebennack), ‘Lights Out’. The do have a more tender sound, as exemplified here
by ‘Going To The Fair’, a lazy shuffle, and an experimental side - listen to the lengthy introduction
to the otherwise rocking instrumental ‘Regal Alley’, or ‘Can’t Cry No More’, featuring the delicate
kora sound of Diabel Cissokho. Then there is ‘That’s All It Took’, which shows why these guys are

sometimes lumped in with Dr. Feelgood and the Essex Delta R’n’B bands.

To sum up then, a rather tasty set that will leave you hungry for more.

Norman Darwen (Kentucky Col., retired)

(www.jimmyregalandtheroyals.com)

37