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The title track is a rocker with more slide guitar and the instrumental 'Rushin' is more West Side
blues this time sounding very much like Otis Rush meets Freddie King, it's also got some nice

Hammond organ and very atmospheric production. The two bow out with 'Bananas' another
instrumental this time a jump blues with the two guitarists effortlessly trading licks.

This is very traditional, authentic-sounding Chicago blues which I really enjoyed, and at times
reminded me of Peter Green (Danny Kirwan) era Fleetwood Mac (there is no higher praise) great to
see this kind of music being made in New Zealand.

Graham Harrison

Dana Gillespie—Deep Pockets—Ace ASIN : B096VKW72G

We get off to a great start with 'Beat Of My Own Drum' a funky,
bluesy song with lovely slide guitar and sax, it’s one of 12 Dana
Gillespie original songs here, many written with guitarist Jake
Zaitz. 'We Share The Same Sky' is a late night jazzy song while
'The Truth About Lying' ups the pace and has a really unusual
groove and the title track has a similar feel, with Dana's dramatic
delivery and the jerky backing reminding me of the Alex Harvey
Band! I really liked the sound of the band which is very tight but
doesn't seem too structured and is the perfect accompaniment to
Dana's smokey, restrained vocals.

'Your Heart Sets You Apart' is another lovely laid back blues ballad and 'In Times Like These' is a
topical song commenting on the 'Lockdown'. 'Up Yours' is a funky soul song with riffing brass with
the band shouting out the title "UP YOURS!" (nice Hammond organ too). 'Howling, Howling' is the
most bluesy track with a howling sax solo and the record closes in style with 'Putting My Dreams
On Hold' another poignant ballad that references the pandemic. I enjoyed this record which sees
Dana playing to her strengths, she doesn't try to rock out but concentrates on restrained bluesy
arrangements and the whole album really holds together well.

Graham Harrison

Bert Deivert—I Ain’t Leavin’—Hard Danger Records (self)

Bert Deivert, an American living in Karlstad, Sweden describes
himself as a blues mandolin player. Inspired by the exemplary
playing of Yank Rachell, Papa Charlie McCoy and the likes of Carl
Martin and Coley McCabe, Bert has set out to ensure that the
instrument remains at the forefront of blues instruments; to keep
the mandolin in blues at a conscious level.

This wonderful album does that and more. Ten expertly delivered
tracks featuring Bert’s wife Eva (on fiddle) and daughter Emmy
(backup vocals), we get a selection of blues inflected songs which
include the very affecting Badge 628, which recounts the line of
duty, shooting death of his grandfather a Boston police office (see youTube) ‘Badge 623’. There is
an outstanding tribute to Yank Rachell and John Estes (’Yank and John’) and much more. Bert
plays guitar, lap steel, dobro, mandolin, charango, bass, and sings lead vocals. Oh My! What a
talent! Get it Now.

Ian K. McKenzie