Page 41 - BiTS_06_JUNE_2022_Neat

What strikes me here is not only the quality of the production but also the quality of the songs
themselves. The musicianship is spot on from the rhythm section of Graeme Carswell (bass)
and Malcolm Button (drums) holding things down to allow Steven Radziwonik’s piano to flow
and John Gilmour Smith’s guitar to shine. This band is the perfect foil for Paul Sloway to lay
across his superb vocal delivery. At times I could hear hints of Dire Straits and Paul Carrick

but the overall gentleness and charm is so appealing that I look forward to their next release,
check this one out.

Ged Wilson

The Private Dicks Band—Small Town Blues—
Independent Release

The Private Dicks Band are a five piece blues band based in
Halifax UK. Their latest album ‘Small Town Blues’ is a follow
up to their previous album release ‘Private Eye’ which was
released back in 2020.

The album opens with the title track ‘Small Town Blues’ a
good old style blues rocker. ‘Cold City Blues’ has a more
chilled out vibe with some really tasteful guitar work. There is

a jazzy rockabilly feel to ‘End Of The Road’ which conjures up
the image of an old Chicago speakeasy.

The guitar driven ‘My Baby’s Too Good For Me’ has echoes of the Fabulous Thunderbirds
about it whilst ‘A Little Bit Of What You Fancy’ is a good time blues with some fun lyrics.
‘Moonshine Liquor’ is a rocking blues that has a Doctor Feelgood style about it and the album
closes with ‘Bury The Hatchet’.

The Private Dicks Band are a tight and well crafted unit having honed their chops over the
years. The solid rhythm section of Pete Bradley (drums) and Mick Garrah (bass) holds
together well with the two guitarists Steve Bradley and Chris McParland whilst Pete Cooke
takes the lead with great vocal delivery and diction and some mean harmonica too.

There is fun in the lyrics here that I’m sure will make you smile and whilst many bands out
there are pushing the boundaries of the blues these boys stick to their principles which is
good for the soul as they have produced an album of good old rock solid blues no less,
Yorkshire style!

Ged Wilson

Altered Five Blues Band—Great Minds Drink Alike (with
Horns)—Blind Pig (Single)

From Milwaukee, Wisconsin, once home to the world’s four
largest brewers of beer, The Altered Five Blues Band have a
real winner with this ode to the demon drink. Singer Jeff Taylor
has an excellent voice and the rest of the band are, as always,
spot-on, whilst the horns, from The Mavericks, add a real
punch. Written by the band’s guitarist Jeff Schroedl, produced
by the in-demand Tom Hambridge, and recorded in Nashville,
Tennessee, this is a wonderfully romping blues; and if you’re
not keen on digital releases, the good news is that it will be the