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some fine appearances on blues records – and he was the singer with Wet Willie… he also
worked closely with Jeff Beck.

A long preamble maybe, but although Jimmy himself says this isn’t a blues album (so he told
label boss and guest here, Joe Bonamassa), there’s a lot to enjoy on this release. Lovers of the
southern soul sound should try a track like ‘Holding On For Dear Love’, which also has a fine,
subtle and classy solo by Joe too. He is more in Jimmy Page mode on the slow-ish blues-rock
ballad ‘A Long Goodbye’. There are some fine traditional blues numbers like the supercharged
Jimmy Reed flavoured blues of the opening ‘Jumpin’ For Joy’ and the jazzy shuffle of ‘Will You
Still Be Here’,

The presence of prestigious guest guitarists such as Warren Haynes, Jared James Nichols and
Josh Smith also adds to the quality of this album. Certainly worth investigating.

Norman Darwen

(www.jimmyhall.com)

Chris Antonik—Morningstar—Second Half CAM002

This is an eclectic album from Canadian singer and guitarist

Chris Antonik, his fourth studio set. It is an ambitious set,
combining blues, blues-rock, rock, Americana and soul, and it is
also thoroughly enjoyable.

The opener has justifiably attracted a lot of attention – ‘Waves
Of Stone’ is a strong blues-rocker, with Jarekus Singleton guest-
ing with Chris and band on a very tough-sounding number. ‘We
Are Not Alone’ is a blues with echoes of vintage rock and roll;
there is also a guest here, Paul Deslauriers on lead guitar,
taking a rather nifty instrumental break.

A lot of Chris’s music is blues-based – both ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Back To The Good’ cross classic rock
with blues-rock - but he is also happy to push at the boundaries even further. So, the former
track can morph into an almost 80s UK electro-pop sound (bet you weren’t expecting that), and
the latter recalls the rock bands of the same period! Elsewhere he can show his knowledge of
the pop music of the last six decades or so, dabbling in psychedelia, or country (as on ‘In Our
Home’) or soul.

A richly varied set then, but many readers should find plenty to their taste. And that opener
really is something else!

Norman Darwen

(www.chrisantonik.com)