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better—known ‘Help Me’, though the vocals and the band keep an edge to their approach. Listen to

the particularly spikey guitar break by Luca Neroni, on the latter track, very much in keeping with
an “alt. blues” sound, and on the up-tempo ‘Hook Me Up’, Slim sounds like a rock and roll singer
over a supercharged Jimmy Reed beat.

There is a fine spontaneous feel to much of the music here, especially as the band can be heard
shouting encouragement throughout. All ten tracks are well worth a listen if you appreciate this
different take on the blues.

Norman Darwen

Wily Bo Walker & E D Brayshaw—Ain’t Hungry No More—Mescal
Canyon Mcrex088 (Single)
(www.wilybo.com)

Wily Bo is one of those rare UK blues-rockers who is perhaps
better-known in the USA than at home. That is now beginning to
change though. He has his own quirky Southern Gothic style, and

this recording, laid down live in the studio and mastered at
Abbey Road Studios, certainly fits into that bag. Initially it has a
slightly spooky delivery based around Howling Wolf’s ‘Going
Back Home’ (Wily’s songs frequently inhabit “Voodooville”, as he
puts it), which then transforms itself into a blues-rocking piece

about half-way through its five minutes plus. It is an impressive
performance, worth checking out.

Norman Darwen

Shakin’ Woods—the Blues Proper Sessions Vol. 2—
Independent
(www.shakinwoods.com)

Shakin’ Woods is a four-piece outfit from the Washington DC
area, and this set is labelled “Volume 2” (of three CD EPs) –
which makes me think I might have to try and track down the
first set. The release under consideration here is a more or less
straight blues set even if the four tracks do include Peter Green’s
‘Long Grey Mare’ and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’.

These guys take them both back to the blues roots, with guest
harpman Rob Paparozzi adding a very rootsy flavour to the nicely
grooving version of ‘I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom’. ‘The Chain’ just about keeps on the blues side of
things, and ‘Long Grey mare’ sounds like it could come from a 45 released on a small Chicago label
in the 70s. The sole original written by singer/ guitarist/ bandleader Rich Russman, is very much in
an early Freddy King vein – admirably so!

In short then, this is all very impressive stuff. I look forward to hearing more from these guys.

Norman Darwen