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results generally fit the album title rather well, as the music itself is rough and rootsy
indeed, with James’ vocals sometimes approaching the ferocious, and the backing

musicians energetic and gritty – sometimes extremely subtle.

The songs vary from the fervent country-gospel flavour of ‘Gravy Train’ and the
pop-flavoured Americana with a vaguely Mexican feel of ‘Go Down Swinging’ through

to the vintage sounding roots rock of ‘Rag Doll’, the slow, electric slide guitar powered
remake of ‘Dig To China’, by far the album’s longest track at almost seven minutes,

and the R & B-ish closer, ‘I Got This Problem’.

The songs themselves are unselfconsciously clever and compelling, in a southern
Gothic fashion. If you can imagine a down-home Tom Waits, you might not be too far

off with this set.

Norman Darwen

Erja Lyytinen—Smell the Roses—Tuohi
(www.erjalyytinen.com)

The Finnish slide guitar maestro (and regular visitor
to these shores) is back with a new album and as
usual, it is certainly well worth listening to! She is

very much in blues-rock mode here, as is obvious
from the opener, the set’s title track, with its big-

sounding, riffing guitar, huge instrumental break,
attitude-laden vocals and the driving backing of her
three accompanists on Hammond organ, bass and

drums.

It sets the scene well for the remaining eight tracks. ‘Going To Hell’ is an urgent
blues-rocker with hints of soul balladry and heavy metal, lightning guitar work–

unlikely combinations maybe, but daring and certainly effective and memorable!
‘Abyss’ runs to over seven minutes and is a classic blues-rock tour-de-force, whilst
‘Wings To Fly’ has a strong early 70s feel.

‘The Ring’ is another huge-sounding driving blues-rocker with just a hint of Led
Zeppelin maybe. ‘Ball And Chain’ is not the Big Mama Thornton number, but does
sport some slashing slide guitar work , whilst ‘Stoney Creek’ has an appropriately

thick, swampy feel and ‘Empty Hours’ brings this classy blues-rock opus to a close
with an excellent basically electric slide guitar and vocal performance that will make
you sit up.

Norman Darwen