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opening track on the band’s upcoming album, to be released later in the year to mark their
twentieth anniversary… and that will be on vinyl!

Norman Darwen

The Reverend Shawn Amos—Everybody Wants to Be My
Friend—Put Together Music (Single)

Available over Spotify and the like, this digital single runs to
just over three and a half minutes and is a precursor of the
good Reverend’s upcoming album, “Hollywood Blues: Stories
And Songs From The Family Tree (1997 -2022). He always
makes good records and this is no exception. This very catchy
track has a subtle but strong groove (it makes me think a little
of Creedence Clearwater Revival), with a mellow vocal,
rhythmic harp (and a concise break), some fine dobro playing
and excellent backing vocals. It certainly augurs well for the
album…

Norman Darwen
(www.shawnamos.com)

Brad Wilson—I’m Feeling Blue—Cali Bee Music

Singer and guitarist Brad has worked with rock band Chicago
as special guest and/or opening act but his own albums tend
to be strongly blues-oriented, and this set contains numerous
blues standards alongside some of his own originals. I’ve been

impressed with his singing and playing before, and with this, I
am again.

‘Fallin’ In And Out’ makes for a strong blues opener, with
Brad’s somewhat relaxed vocals, some excellent guitar work
and a skin-tight band laying down a subtle but irresistible
groove. It sets the pattern for the remainder of this rather
tasty release. The next track up is a version of BB King’s version of ‘Rock Me Baby’, with fine
production again giving this a forceful but nuanced approach – no over-the-top histrionics for
Brad, but guitar work and vocals that certainly hit the spot. Other covers, generally with these
same admirable qualities, include Freddy King’s slow ‘Someday After A While’, and Muddy’s ‘I
Want To Make Love To You’, a live ‘Got My Mojo Workin’’, with a hint of vintage Cream, and a
vastly reworked ‘She Moves Me’ – these last two are live recordings.

There’s a hint of jazz-funk on ‘Something’s Goin’ On’, ‘Nobody But You’ is a fine slab of straight-
up infectious blues-rock (not the Little Walter song, by the way), and ‘I Could Never Love
Again’ is a mellow guitar instrumental, whilst ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ is a swinger, a quasi-
instrumental guitar workout. All these tracks are worthwhile, making for a very enjoyable
release.

Norman Darwen

(www.bradwilsonlive.com)