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R E V I E W S

Red's Blues Band—Broke down in the Fast Lane—Own Label

This four-piece band out of Sacramento, California came to my

attention some months ago with the release of the rather pointed

digital single 'Flim Flam Man', reviewed in these very pages. It's
good to hear more, and the presence of such guests as guitarist

Rockin' Johnny Burgin, blues harp maestro Rick Estrin, and
engineer and electric piano player Kid Andersen is some indica-

tor of how highly regarded this outfit is.

The title track opens the set, a lovely lazy shuffle with an excellent vocal by Beth Reid-Grigsby

and some harmonica playing by the band's guitarist Doug Crumpacker low in the mix, and is
followed by the aforementioned 'Flim Flam Man', here as more of a straight mid- to up tempo

blues. 'Road Scholar' has a fine retro-styled sound and production, whilst 'Howling Winds' has

more than a tinge of the 20s vaudeville blues in Beth's vocals, Big Maceo in the piano work of Sid
Morris and Sonny Boy Williamsons Nos. 1 and 2 in Rick Estrin's wonderful harp blowing – it works!

'Jacknifed' sung by bass-player RW Grigsby (I think – and he also supplies excellent upright bass

playing on some tracks) is loosely akin to Chuck Berry, 'Sweet Karma' has hints of The Rolling

Stones though Beth's singing reminds me of Bobbie Gentry (!), whilst 'Forty Years Of Trouble' has
a boogaloo blues sound. 'A Word About Gossip' has that classic swamp blues sound, 'G.O.N.E.'

harks back to 50s rhythm & blues, and has maybe just a slight tint of rockabilly, and 'Hands Off'

is sultry and jazzy (nice drumming by Tim Wilbur too), before the album closes with 'Say What!',
an early 60s styled guitar instrumental showcase for Doug and Rockin' Johnny. Impressive all

round!

Norman Darwen
(www.redsbluesband.com)

Jon Strahl Band—Heartache and Toil—Own Label

This is a rather impressive album from this band out of

Indianapolis, their third release, following on from an album and
a five track EP. Jon grew up in the 80s, listening to a wide variety
of blues on the radio, and this wide range of influences comes
through on this album. He has a good voice, and a fine guitar style
- and his song-writing is good, with interesting, meaningful
compositions - the twelve songs here are all originals.