Page 39 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2023

Although there is actually nothing particularly new about their music, 2:19 have a freshness and
energy that really gives it a lift. The occasional brass arrangements make a big difference too but
what really stands out for me is the vocal work of Chris Chalmers which makes this band special.
That “driven mic’ sound really enhances his vocals and he has the sound of a Michael Hutchence
about him. This band have the makings of being the next Hoax and with shades of C.C. Adcock
too are something special to look out for, check them out.

Ged Wilson

Sean Taylor—Sean Taylor Band Live — Independent Release

Sean Taylor is a well established solo artist on the blues scene
both here in the UK and throughout Europe. He has recently been
nominated for UK Blues acoustic act of the year in the 2023 UK
Blues Awards. For this live album Sean is joined with Mike Seal on
double bass and Paulina Szczepaniak on percussion.

The album opens with the bluesy ‘Number 49’ featuring some
harmonica work from Sean. ‘This Is England’ digs a groove to
overlay this spoken word tapestry of England today. The richness
of lyric here brings to mind the great Gil Scott-Heron. ‘Texas
Boogie’ will certainly get your foot tapping whilst by contrast ‘Perfect Candlelight’ is such a
gentle beautiful song.

Sean creates a very imaginative reworking of the classic ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ that carries

such feeling. The band really start to swing with Sean’s piano on ‘The Beat Goes On’ whilst ‘So
Fine’ develops into a swirling soundscape of delay effected guitar. Sean is not frightened of
tackling hot topics and with ‘Grenfell’ really captures its spirit of injustice. The album closes
with the audience clapping along to a powerful version of Richie Havens ‘Freedom’.

When I listen to a live album I like to feel that I’m actually there in the crowd and with this one
I do. You can hear Sean talking to the audience, the applause of the crowd and the ambience of
sound you get from a live gig. Certainly the bass and percussion skillfully applied by Mike and
Paulina really enhance the overall sound giving more space for Sean to really work these songs
to the next level. Sean is truly a great artist and one of our finest songwriters so go check this
album out now, you will be glad you did!

Ged Wilson
Blues Fighters — Pretty Baby — Independent

This is the debut set from this Polish four-piece founded in 2021,
the representatives for their country at this year’s European
Blues Challenge. All the thirteen songs are originals, and there is
a rock slant to some of this material - and in singer and guitarist
Chuck Frazier from Houston, Texas, they have a genuine Ameri-
can vocalist. Try the fairly straight Chicago blues of ‘I Wanna
Marry You’ or the shuffle of ‘First Kiss’ for a good example of their
blues capabilities, ‘Believe Me’ for a number with a strong soul