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compelling ‘The Bridge', features a starkly inviting slide, while ‘Take My Hand’ has a deep
resonating bass guitar leading the way. ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Jimmy Reed', are slow engaging shuffles led
by a rich and ringing electric guitar. These are splendid acoustic versions, quite unlike the versions
found on his recent album release.
Greatly endorsed!
Brian Harman
Blind Raccoon /Nola Blue Collection Volume Three—Blue —
Heart Records BHR 009
This is the third collaboration between Blind Raccoon Promotions
and the record labels Nola Blue Records and Blue Heart Records,
the previous two compilations were not widely available but, this
collection of Blind Raccoon clients and Nola Blue and Blue Heart
recording artists can be accessed as a digital download and
streaming via Blue Heart Records, the profits garnered from
digital sales will go to the Hart Fund (The Blues Foundation’s
Handy Artists Relief Trust). Fifteen of the 32 numbers here are a
mixture of unreleased songs and previously released singles.
First of these, is ‘Time To Forget You, (Bourbon & Candlelight Mix)', by Wily Bo Walker & Danny
Flam, this is, an enticing, grimy, grinding southern blues-burner, that is led by muted horns and
features a greasily picked guitar that is seriously complimented by Wily’s low level thick, growling
vocal. On the slow blues, ‘Surrender', from Clarence Spady, his hauntingly gruff vocal is
accompanied by an equally chilling raw guitar and B3. The taster ‘Lost And Found', from Mark
Cameron has a freewheeling sixties California feel, created by a floating flute, bouncing keyboards
and a raw harmonica, all helped along by an inviting acoustic guitar. ‘I Can See Your Love Light
Shine', is an enjoyably bright, lively and bouncing reggae tinged shuffle, from John Nemeth, the
warm inviting vocal is backed by a ringing guitar and a sharply enticing harmonica. ‘Hot Love',
from Malaya Blue is an unreleased acoustic single that allows her crisp, clean and pure vocals to
sensuously dance in your ears. ‘One More 1&1', is another unreleased single, this time from Matt
Lomeo, this splendid ballad is very much in the Malaco mould with its seductively fat horns, urging
on a B3 and a spiky harmonica.
Kirsten Thien’s ‘Shoulda Been, (Rock Slide Radio Edit)', is quite simply a sizzling, stomping slide
driven Hill Country Rocker. The splendidly atmospheric Delta infused ‘Diggin’ My Potatoes', from
The Reverend Shawn Amos, has a richly stark guitar and raw punching harmonica backing his
captivatingly hoarse vocal. Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps ‘All You Ever Bring Me Is The
Blues', is an enjoyably melancholic, rolling, horn driven slow-burner, which features a haunting
trumpet solo. A little light relief is provided by Sammy Eubanks with ‘What Would Delbert Do?’
this, is a good-time groover led by a jaunty, honkin’ saxophone together with a rockin’ guitar and
piano. The enticing ‘Blow Fish Blow!’ from Rob Stone, Elena Kato and Hiroshi Eguchi is a lively
little harmonica and piano led foot-tapper. Another good-time groover is Sandy Haley’s ‘Never
Sleep Your Way To The Middle', once again a fat swinging saxophone and jumpin’ piano are to the
forefront. Slowing the pace and the mood are Steve Howell, Dan Sumner and Jason Weinheimer
with ‘Singing The Blues', and ‘Nothin’ But The Blues', two numbers which are both gentle and
soothingly warm acoustic guitar pieces and are even more satisfying with Steve’s delicate and
dulcet vocal tones taking centre stage.