Page 32 - BiTS_05_MAY_2020

Goodbye Booze The Jake Leg Jug Band Green Bullet Records
ASIN: B085BXVY6S

This new album celebrates(?) the 100 year anniversary of the
introduction of prohibition in the States and features songs written
about it at the time. The band feature Bryony-Rose (Vocals &
Washboard), Duncan Wilcox (Vocals & Double Bass), Neil Hulse
(Vocals & Guitar), Liam Ward (Vocals, Harmonica & Jug) and Toby
Wilson (Vocals, Banjo & Dobro).

This isn't strictly a jug band record, it has a much wider selection
of styles including jazz and vaudeville and it was nice to hear additional instruments including brass,
piano and fiddle widening the sounds on offer, at times the approach almost reminded me of The
Temperance Seven (appropriately!). We have to wait until ‘God Don't Like It’ to hear a really bluesy

track, featuring Bryony-Rose's vocals, Toby's slide guitar and Liam Ward's exemplary harmonica. The
record ends (again appropriately) with ‘Prohibition Is a Failure’, a nice track featuring banjo and
Liam's harp and the fiddle exchanging licks.

Graham Harrison

Harlem King Solomon Hicks PROVOGUE RECORDS ASIN:
B082JNQFFG

This is 24-year old King Solomon Hicks' debut release, he's from
Harlem, New York City - hence the title - and from the first track
"I'd Rather Be Blind" it's obvious that he's very talented, both a good
singer and guitarist, in a similar style to say Robert Cray. The album
is produced by Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey)
and he brings the experience from working with those diverse acts

to bear on this record - just listen to the second track, a major
updating of the old blues chestnut ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’ -
almost unrecognisable from B.B. King's version, whereas the rocking instrumental ‘421 South Main’
is very much like a classic Freddie King instrumental.

There is lots of variety here with some interesting takes on other people's material - Chris Andrews’

‘It’s Alright’ is slowed down and 'bluesified' with heavily processed vocals and guitar, while Al Kooper's
‘I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know’ (as done by Blood, Sweat and Tears) is given a laid-back
Latin vibe and Gary Wright’s ‘Love is Alive’ alternates between funk and more lyrical blues guitar
interludes. I wasn't keen on his version of Sonny Boy Williamson's ‘Help Me’ - probably because I love
the original - but tracks like ‘What the Devil Loves’ and the gospel-tinged ‘Have Mercy on Me’ are
really well-done. I'll definitely keep a eye on what King Solomon does in future, I think that he needs

to work on writing more of his own songs.

Graham Harrison