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Tomislav Goluban—Crazy Hill Live—Delta Note
(www.goluban.com)

Croatian singer, harmonica player and songwriter Tomislav “Little
Pigeon” has spread his wings recently and reached international

audiences. He is a fine bluesman – take a listen to ‘Disappear For
Good’ for an early example of his intimate vocals and arrangement,
and it also allows us to hear just how tight and controlled his
backing band can be – it is impressive. Of course, if you want to
hear how good his harmonica work can be, lend an ear to the
opening warm-up instrumental that precedes it, ‘Extra Boom’ or
the traditionally based ‘Train Beat’ (with beat boxing!), although
to be fair, Tomislav impresses whenever he plays.

‘Searching For My Baby’ is a straight-forward sing-along blues, and ‘Kay God Blues’ and the
blues-rock tinged, driving ‘Brzi Vlak’ are sung in Croatian (I assume!). ‘Fun Starts Here’ is a
convincing slow blues, and ‘Do The Right Thing’ is a lively Bo Diddley flavoured number, whilst
‘Mr. B’ is a delicate blues harmonica showcase, a little akin to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’ in pace
and the guitar work. ‘Hayloft Blues’ makes for a powerhouse ending to an impressive release.
Recommended of course.

Norman Darwen

Susan Tedeschi—Just Won’t Burn (25th Anniversary
Edition)—Fantasy
(www.susantedeschi.com)

Singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi is best known these days as
front-woman for The Tedeschi–Trucks Band, formed with her
husband Derek Trucks in 2010, based in Jacksonville, Florida, and
now a leading blues, blues-rock and roots-rock outfit. While this
release references that with some relevant previously unissued
material, the main bulk is a reissue of Susan’s own album “Just
Won’t Burn”, her second but the one which broke her through to
wider audiences – it actually became a platinum seller - and the
rationale for this release is that that happened 25 years ago.

The original album is a fine mostly blues set, with covers of Junior Wells’ ‘Little By Little’ (with
some fine harp by Annie Raines), Ruth Brown’s ‘Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean’, and the
reason for that just mentioned qualification, “mostly”, John Prine’s ‘Angel From Montgomery’.
The remainder of the original release allowed Susan to showcase her own blues versatility on
her own material, from the straight for the jugular rock and roll of ‘Rock Me Right’ to the swampy
blues-ballad of ‘It Hurt So Bad’ with its impassioned vocal, from the slow, affecting blues of the
title track to the raw, down-home ‘Friar’s Point’.

The quiet, reflective ‘Looking For Answers’ is present in three versions – the original, a different
take, and a live performance from 2022 with The Tedeschi Trucks Band. There is another song
from the same show - a rendition of the title track - plus a couple of unissued tracks from the
original session, including a tough cover of Koko Taylor’s funky blues ‘Voodoo Woman’.
So, even if you have the original release, chances are this will be of interest. If you don’t already
know the original, you may have already realised it is something of a milestone in the modern
blues.

Norman Darwen