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REVIEWS

Paul Jones—The Blues—Umbrella Music PJBROLLYCD1

Paul Jones needs little introduction; for many years he was the
voice of the UK blues thanks to his weekly show on BBC Radio
(the only regular blues show when he started) and he also had
a show later on Jazz FM. Then of course, his own musical
career spans six decades and includes stints with Manfred
Mann and The Blues Band—currently on their farewell tour—
his own solo career and guest appearances with others.

These are all represented on this very listenable and
informative release. The set includes some of his earliest
recordings – ‘Without You’ is the earliest, and with flute and vibraphone alongside the band
and Paul’s harp, it is a little akin to Alexis Korner’s jazz-influenced blues of the time. Paul
wrote his own notes for this set, and whilst these are certainly enlightening, he also speaks of
the early titles as “juvenalia”, maybe he’s a little harsh on his younger self—these are fine
examples of a more innocent time.

There is a tribute to the then recently deceased Sonny Boy Williamson from 1966 – Paul on
harp and vocal backed only by Jack Bruce’s bass in the vein of Williamson’s ‘Mighty Long
Time’. ‘Noah Lewis Blues’ is another tribute to one of Paul’s favourites too, a Blues Band

performance.

There are plenty of strong blues here – you’ll hear echoes of Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, James
Brown and others - and curiosities like the science fiction themed “thespian blues” of ‘The Pod
That Came Back’. Guest musicians on this CD include Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Paul McCartney,
and The Memphis Horns. That says a lot about how highly esteemed Paul is. He’s perhaps not
as well known as a songwriter, but he wrote or co-wrote all 21 songs here, and they are all
well worth hearing.
Norman Darwen

Breezy Rodio—Underground Blues—Windchill/ Bloos
BL-0015

Any record that involves Texan blues-master Anson
Funderburgh is worth a listen, at the very least. On
“Underground Blues” he worked as producer throughout and
supplied hot guitar licks to two numbers, but Breezy is a fine
talent in his own right. Born in Italy, he has been working in
Chicago for a good many years now, having accompanied
Linsey Alexander for nearly a decade, and he himself has two
albums out on Delmark. He doesn’t need me to establish his
credentials.

You want proof? Try the title track, a COVID composition but immensely danceable and some
very fine singing. Or the classic Windy City sound of, yes, you guessed - “C.H.I.C.A.G.O.’, with its
slight tinge of the late, great Magic Slim. Or the straight-forward shuffling “The Murder’. Or I