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Sometimes with instrumental only albums things can get a little bit samey and there is a case
for that here. However, if like me you love the lush richness of sound that the Hammond organ
can bring then this album is well worth indulging in.

Ged Wilson

Hard Stairs - Bigger Blues - Fencepost Records

Hard Stairs are a two piece (guitar and drums) garage blues
band from Cheltenham UK. With this latest release, “Bigger
Blues” they have added bass and harmonica players to their
lineup.

The album opens with ‘7 Till Late’ an upbeat foot tapper whilst
‘Mean Things’ is more of a power blues jam. ‘Bury Me’ has a nice
gospel feel to it with choir vocals and handclaps. ‘North Shore
Line’ is a more rootsy offering centred around the one chord.

‘Missing You’ is a break up song that has a punk blues vibe, maybe shades of Elvis Costello in
there too. They do this style really well. ‘Seeds’ is an anti war tale laid over a gentle ‘Rock Me
Baby’ style groove that brought to mind early Savoy Brown.

There are Louisiana references as the name suggests in ‘Tickfaw Woman’ which is a driving
twelve bar with customary guitar and harmonica solos. There is a nice swing to ‘Cutie Blues’
before the album closes with ‘To The Bone’ which has shades of Stevie Ray Vaughan and
Lonnie Mack in the guitar work.

The musicianship throughout this album is good with Octavius Fox and Martin J holding down
a solid foundation on bass and drums respectively. The work of D S#arp on harmonica
punctuates and adds to the overall blues sound. There is some really nifty guitar playing
throughout from Horton Longsail but whilst his vocals are strong and gruff they can appear a
little strained at times.
As a blues album it has all the American influences and has quite a loose feel to it. Having

added extra blues musicians for this album I guess it’s no surprise that this comes across as
more of a blues jam than a refined studio album. I’m looking forward to see what direction
Hard Stairs turn to for their next album.

Ged Wilson
Buddy Whittington & Jim Suhler - Texas Scratch - Quarto
Valley Records

“Texas Scratch” is a new album featuring two iconic Texan
guitar slingers, Jim Suhler and Buddy Whittington. Jim and
Buddy are perhaps better known for their work with George
Thorogood and John Mayall respectively but are indeed two
outstanding blues guitarists in their own right.

The album opens with ‘Texas Trio’ which hits the spot from the
off, referencing some Texas blues greats, what a groove! ‘I’d

Rather Be Lucky Than Good’ is another great groove to get your