Page 48 - BiTS_05_MAY_2021

Nitecrawlers—Unlock The Blues—Kerbcrawler Productions

www.nitecrawlers.co.uk

The Nitecrawlers hail from the Birmingham area and have been a
gigging band for many a year. A four piece consisting of Roger

‘Brol’ Bromley (gv), Chris Lloyd (d), Roger 'Corkscrew' Hudson
(g) and ‘Mysterious’ Terry Reep (b and g), all that setting up,
lugging amps and night-time driving, have resulted in a really
tight band with a great vibe and a psychic understanding of what
everyone else is doing or is about to do.

Back in the BC (Before Covid) era they went to a recording studio
and according to reports, three days later there was an album.
The album, produced by ‘Mysterious’ Terry Reep is outstanding. The instrumentation is first class
and Mr Bromley’s vocals sound to these ears, every now and then, a lot like JJ Cale. No bad thing at
all.

There are ten tracks, all covers and they range from Slim Harpo’s ‘Shake Your Hips’ to Walter
Jacobs’ ‘Mellow Down Easy’. There is a first class version of ‘Goin’ Down’, the Don Nix, Brian May
extravaganza, that makes my neck hairs quiver and a version of ‘Dust My Broom’ ascribed to Robert
Johnson but more closely associated with Elmore James and delivered with his passion.

Like so many other musicians, the launch of this album was scuppered by the pandemic. They had
a little airplay with it back in August 2020, but I shall be delighted to give it more. Let’s hope that
this time, The Nitecrawlers reach places other bands cannot reach!

Ian K McKenzie

Big Creek Slim—Migration Blues / Twenty-Twenty Blues—
Straight Shooter SHOT 032/ 033

I have been a lover of acoustic blues since I was 15. I have heard
thousands of acoustic musicians live and on albums. There
are very few contemporary artists who can deliver acoustic
blues with the style, panache and downright force that some

of the ‘early’ musicians did. Well, here’s one that does.

Big Creek Slim a.k.a. Marc Rune, was born and raised in
Ikast, a small town in Central Denmark and now lives in
Brazil. He is a believer in bringing passion and the strong
sounds of early blues into the mix. “Less is more if you play
it with attitude”, he says.

These two records are ‘stunners’. Twenty four tracks of
exemplary music delivered in in a flawless manner with
emotion, enthusiasm, a wry sense of humour and outstanding skill. Even if you think you don’t like

acoustic blues, check these out and then go and buy both! I am gobsmacked (which is a GOOD
thing).

Ian K McKenzie