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Ged Wilson

Mike Ross—The Clovis Limit Tennessee Transition—Taller
Records

Mike Ross is well known on the British blues scene and this
latest offering sees him playing solo acoustic blues recorded live
in session. The album opens with ‘Driftwood’ which features
some lovely country blues style vocals laid over some gentle
slide guitar. ‘Grow in Your Garden’ is slower paced but once
again showcasing Mike’s great country vocals. ‘Young Man’
brought to mind a Tom Waits feel about it whilst ‘Blow Away’
has some lovely country blues guitar to enjoy.

The ‘Tennessee’ in the title of the album would suggest a
connection with the southern US state and you sort of get that kind of vibe coming across here.

With ‘None of Your Business’ it was interesting to note that the vocal reminded me of Jack
Hutchinson somewhat, maybe those collaborations are having an effect! ‘The Only Place You Ever
Take Me Is Down’ has a real richness in the guitar tuning that resonates so well. The album closes
with a couple of cover versions, an interesting take on Bukka White’s ‘Shake Em On Down’ and a
great driving blues to close with Charlie Patton’s ‘Screamin’ & Hollerin’ the Blues’.

This album is simple in that it is just Mike singing along with his acoustic guitar but in reality it
brings about so much more in that he has a nice and gentle understated guitar style that is so

effective and his slide playing is first class. On top of that Mike has a full on committed voice that
has an honest country blues vibe that is so enjoyable to listen to. You just get the impression that
Mike is sitting in your front room just playing for you, it’s that sort of album. Super album give it a
spin.

Ged Wilson

Kelly’s Lot - Where and When - Self-Release

Kelly’s Lot are a four piece acoustic blues band from the USA.
The ‘Where And When’ album is a mix of both original and
cover songs presented live to tape for that old school sound.

The album opens with ‘Stronger’ a nice and cool blues song
featuring some lovely laid back acoustic guitar. The Howlin’
Wolf tune ‘Somebody in My Home’ also gets the laid back
treatment too with some lovely tasteful slide guitar. ‘Heaven’
has an Eric Bibb feel about it whilst the Lovie Austin song
‘Jealous Hearted Blues’ has some more of that lovely slide

guitar. Another Howlin’ Wolf tune ‘Nature’ has a nice up tempo
feel and being sung from a woman’s perspective adds a little twist.

The band consists of Kelly Zirbes on vocals, Perry Robertson on rhythm guitar, Doug Pettibone on
lead guitar and David Grover on bass. Together they have a great acoustic band sound that gives a
platform for Kelly’s bluesy voice.