Page 57 - BiTS_08_AUGUST_2024

Barnes is first and foremost a humourist and has his roots in comedy and standup in shows like
“Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.
Produced by Tom Hambridge, this is Barnes’ fifth album and it is a clever mix of humour and
serious music in a thought provoking bundle.

Eleven songs here ranging from the clear hokum roots of ‘Mushrooms Make Me A Fun Guy’ and
‘Do The Houdini’ (with some nice wha-wah) to the seriously good, seriously serious ‘True Blues’
and the throught provoking ‘Ambushed By The Blues’.

Chris ‘Bad News’ Barnes has some great albums in his catalogue, none better than this!

Ian K McKenzie

Joanne Shaw Taylor—Heavy Soul—Journeyman Records

Joanne once told me during an interview that although she
delighted in all the accolades she has been given for her
singing, she really wanted to be recognised for he guitar work.
Well, this may be the album.

Here we have ten tracks with some outstanding axework on
display. The title track has some inspired fills against a top
class vocal. It’s a foot stomper too.

‘Drowning in a Sea of Love’ is slightly more restrained but
nevertheless comes with a fiery guitar break and an excellent
arrangement.

The penultimate track ‘Devil In Me’ is a stunner. Driving, with an outstanding guitar break that
might be difficult to better.

All in all, Ms Shaw Taylor continues to go from strength to strength. She has become a double
threat with excellent vocals and outstanding axework. Onward and upward!

Ian K McKenzie

Mark Hummel—True Believer— Rockinitus Records

This CD includes all new recordings and features Junior
Watson, Billy Flynn, Oscar Wilson, Joe Beard, Bob Welsh, Wes
Starr, Kedar Roy, Randy Bermudes.

The opener, ‘High Time for the Devil’ is straight forward old-
time blues, reminding me of the fabulous Muddy Waters’
band featuring the late Paul Oscher. ‘Ghosted’, a song for our
time if ever there was, comes with a clever vocal and some
ace harp work.

There are some outstanding guitar fills by Junior Watson who
once again demonstrates why he is a first port of call for many band leaders. ‘Double Trouble’
and ‘Stop Messin' Around’ are just simply ‘real blues’ in style all too rare these days.

Mark Hummel is a true ”True Believer”. Long may he continue to delight us with his killer tones
and outstanding playing.

Ian K McKenzie