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Sue Foley—Sue Foley Live In Austin Vol. 1—Guitar Woman
Records

Sue Foley is a Canadian blues guitarist and singer. Having re-
leased many albums and won many blues music awards Sue is
making her mark. This latest release “Sue Foley Live In Austin
Vol. 1” as the name suggests is a live one in Texas.

The album opens with an introduction from the M.C. with the

words “great looking audience in here tonight…” setting the
scene. Blues riff based ‘New Used Car’ kicks things off followed
by ‘Walkin’ Home’ a good old rocking twelve bar boogie. Sue cranks up a good version of
Howlin’ Wolf’s (Willie Dixon), ‘Howlin’ For My Darlin’.

‘Queen Bee’ is a female perspective of the classic ‘King Bee’ whilst the instrumental ‘Hooked
On Love’ owes its inspiration to Otis Rush’s ‘All Your Love’. This is followed with a nice
rendition of Dylan’s ‘Positively 4th Street’. The album closes with ‘High Roller’ which has
shades of ZZ Top thrown in.

Sue Foley is a great guitarist doing justice to the style of the blues greats. I can detect hints of
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Peter Green amongst others in her playing. Her voice is engaging with
a country tinge to it. Her band work really well together and are just the right foil for her style
of delivery.

There is no mistaking this as a live album as the enthusiastic crowd really engage and show
their appreciation and you get the sense that the Continental club was rocking that night.
There is nothing out of the ordinary here just a good old style alive and kicking blues album to
enjoy!

Ged Wilson
Bluesman Mike Francis— Stevie (Single)—Kycker Records

Bluesman Mike Francis is an award winning solo blues artist
based in Liverpool England and is well known up and down the
British blues circuit. Following on from his hit single ‘Lawman’s
Blues’ is another single release “Stevie”.

As the song title ‘Stevie’ suggests this is an ode to Stevie Ray
Vaughan and there is no denying the impact SRV has made on
the world of blues so here is a fitting tribute. Mike steers clear
of trying to emulate SRV but sticks to his guns and makes this
his own.
There’s a real 60’s British blues boom vibe to ‘Stevie’ with the rhythm guitar chugging along
nicely somewhat reminiscent of Wilko Johnson. In fact Mike’s signature twelve string electric
guitar really drives this and the slide guitar solo really adds some colour. You can hear the raw
energy in Mike’s voice which gives this song its intensity making it a great follow up to
‘Lawman’s Blues’ so why not go and give it a spin.

Ged Wilson