Page 41 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2023

‘When The Levee Breaks’ — although this is a different song, there are some similarities in theme
and approach. ‘The Moment’ is a romping blues-rocker, and ‘Assassination Machine’ also leans
towards blues-rock. The instrumental ‘Heading To Sorbas’ is a big-sounding rock number.

Elsewhere the focus tends to be on Americana — there is even a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Buckets
Of Rain’. Overall, this is a fine and enjoyable album, and a little bit different. You’d never guess
that Tio was once a French punk-rocker!

Norman Darwen

(www.tio-manuel.com)

The Daniel Smith Blues Band — Blues, Boogie, Bayou and

Ballads — Pinetops Records PRDS 199
That title says me a lot of description as it is pretty accurate if not
the whole story. It doesn’t include the mellow-ish, soul-jazz-tinged

instrumental ‘Sam Knows Best’, for example, or the cool, jazzy
‘Luna De Miel’ - that translates as “honeymoon”, and Daniel’s note
explain why that title.

However the remaining tracks do fit nicely, with the pianist
leading his small combo — guitarist Pete Emery, bass player Andy
Jones and drummer Peter Miles through a fine, unassuming but

very entertaining album. UK-based pianist and Hammond player Daniel shows off his skills to
good effect on several instrumentals, including the powerhouse opener, ‘Boogie Or Bust’, the

rolling Professor Longhair inspired ‘Crescent City Crescendo’ (lovely sax work too from guest
Alan Barnes) and the classical/ blues mash-up of ‘El Arte Del Amor’.

Guest vocalist Jaelee Small (Millie’s daughter) has a strong , sassy style, well-showcased on the

romping blues of ‘Kiss You Quick’, the slower ‘The Clown Is Back In Town’ (both also feature fine
harp by Alan Glen, who is in excellent form wherever he appears here), and the jazzily-strutting
‘G-Force Blues’. The slow drag of ‘The Time Has Now Come’ (with a Crescent City styled piano

break) features a fine vocal by Andy Jones, as does the closing rocker ‘Walking In The Rain’.

In short, this is certainly worth checking out. Try it, you’ll like it.

Norman Darwen

(www.danielsmithbluesband.com)

The Gayle Harrod Band — Temptation — Independent

This is a fine modern blues set, spanning the genre from the
Motown-esque soul of ‘Break’ to the country-tinged Americana of
the closing ‘Beautiful Friend’. Along the way though there are the

excellent straight-forward blues numbers of such tracks as the
grinding ‘Baby We’re Through’, the ever-so slightly Howlin’ Wolf
inspired title track, the big sound of the Delta styled ‘Waiting In