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released two albums for the Blind Pig label. Since then he has worked upon solo and collaborative
projects. In the latter part of last year he reunited with his road band which comprises Danny
Banks on drums with Mathew Wilson on bass and John Hays, guitar, to record this, his 10th album,
John takes lead vocals and harmonica.
The first of a number out of the speakers is ‘Come And Take It', which is enjoyably dominated by a
muzzy vocal and fuzzy guitar that delivers an enticing old timey hill-country toe-tapper with John
blasting a lively and aching harmonica that pulls you right in. The lively retro percussion and
harmonica feel continues the mood with a Fat Possum influenced mover entitled, ‘Fountain Of A
Man.’ Little Junior Parker’s 1958 ‘Sometimes', is a splendid rendition, that is drenched in a slow,
swampy tremolo filled atmosphere. The thought provoking ‘Bars', is a somewhat less than
respectful but, nonetheless accurate, sombre and melancholy slow blues ode to the present
POTUS and his actions. Jesse Belvin’s ‘Guess Who', amply displays John’s heartfelt vocals on this
slowburning ballad that features a searing, melancholy guitar from Matthew Wilson. ‘Sweep The
Shack', is a joyously swinging, goodtime blues toe-tapper featuring a swinging, ringing guitar that
guarantees to blow the cobwebs away.
Greatly endorsed!
Brian Harman.
Adam Sweet—Sink or Swim—Independent Release
Adam Sweet is well known on the British Blues circuit both as a
solo artist and with his band. This new album is with his band,
Ian Jennings on bass and Garry Kroll on drums.
Some nice bluesy guitar on ‘Working On It’ opens the album. ‘You
or Me’ has a bit more of a country feel and bounces along nicely
with some tasty harp playing from Ian Briggs, really like this one.
‘Like It or Not’ is slower paced with some great keys from Josiah
J. Manning.
‘Something From Nothing’ introduces some funky edge with a nice rocking wah fused guitar solo.
‘Good Enough’ has that country feel once again bordering on Southern Rock, with some well
constructed lyrics that really compliment the song that makes for great listening and you can
almost sense a whiff of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ in there.
Adam really starts to shine with some tasteful guitar on the minor blues ‘Miss You So’ that has that
less is more feel about it. ‘Devils Lake’ is a bluesy guitar based instrumental with shades of the
Allman Brothers. ‘Not a Moment Too Soon’ has a great haunting blues sound that I really like and
its up close and personal lyrics really touch the soul.
‘Here to Nowhere’ is one of those songs that gradually builds up into a great song with some lifting
backing vocals that help to carry it along to the big finish. It almost felt like an album closer but
that comes next with ‘Something’ll Happen’, an interesting song that has a bit of a Robben Ford
feel about it. It has some nice acoustic guitar picking and quirky lyrical delivery, I really liked this
song.
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