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upbeat country rocker whilst ‘Tranquility’ has some really nice banjo picking going on.

‘Independence Day’ is a real gutsy rocker with some lovely Hammond organ. ‘Sometimes I Just Sits’
is a gentle tale of reminiscing and lamenting change. The album closes with a nice country Ballad
that blends violin, mandolin and banjo beautifully but it does not end there as there are four more
bonus tracks of unreleased material to enjoy.

Ok this album is not strictly blues, it’s Americana or even Alt. Country Rock but don’t let that put
you off as I really enjoyed this album. Chuck Melchin is a great songwriter with some interesting,
thoughtful and well written lyrics throughout the album. He also has great vocal delivery with a

pleasant voice that really draws you in almost like a smoother version of Neil Young. The way
Chuck has orchestrated such a wide range of musicians into creating his signature sound which at
times is reminiscent of The Faces is amazing and the production of this album is first class. Well
worth a listen.

* Two tracks contain explicit lyrics.

Ged Wilson

Connor Selby—Connor Selby—Own Label

Connor Selby is well known on the British blues circuit as one of
the best up and coming young blues artists. This is backed up

with twice winning the best ‘Young Artist’ at the UK blues
awards.

This self titled album opens with ‘I Can’t Let You Go’ a slow
soulful ballad that features some nice lead guitar with hints of

Paul Kossoff. ‘Falling In Love Again’ has a light soulful funk edge
enhanced by some nice keyboards. The more bluesy ‘If You’re
Gonna Leave Me’ has shades of BB King in the guitar work and
Johnny Adams in the vocals.

You can pick up echoes of Free in ‘Emily’ whilst ‘ Show Me A Sign’ is much more sixties soul Sam
and Dave style. ‘Anyhow’ is a slow gentle blues something similar in style to ‘Need Your Love So
Bad’. The album closes with seven minutes plus of ‘Starting Again’ another slow soulful ballad that
grabs you with the guitar solo at the end.

Connor Selby has surrounded himself with some fine musicians in the shape of the Masterlink
‘house band’ (a.k.a. Redtenbacher’s Funkestra) and it shows with great musicianship throughout
the album. Produced by Stefan Redtenbacher this is indeed a quality finished product.

Connor really shines on the guitar with his solos on this album. His vocal style is quite gentle and it
carries a resonance that makes it so appealing. His songs are all well crafted though at times some
of the lyrics are a little too generic. The album itself is quite American sounding, an observation not
a criticism. Connor is a real young talent and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.

Will it be the blues or blue eyed soul as we wait to see how he develops his own style.

Ged Wilson