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A funky Jazz inflected popping keyboard introduces and delivers a splendid instrumental break on
the shoulder shuffling ‘So Far, So Good’, the slapping drum work deftly underpins a very enjoyable
mixture of earthy twisting guitar and harmonica solos. Johnny Johnson’s ‘Baby Please’, is a great,
rolling floor sliding toe-tapper, that has piano, guitar and seriously wailing harmonica join
together to blast the cobwebs away. In the same vein, ‘East Coast Blues’, sees driving drum work
and searing insistent B3 underpin an equally electrifying slide guitar from Paul Boddy. Guitar
Slim’s ‘You Give Me Nothing But The Blues’, is a seriously enjoyable, soul fuelled, horn driven
roller, that has Peter and Jenny Barnes ably filling the roles of Brook Benton and Dinah
Washington. ‘Low Down Dirty Blues’, is quite simply a splendid slow-burner, that has Peter
delivering a thoughtful and affecting guitar with the B3 subtly burning away in the background.
Very entertaining!
Brian Harman.
Angela Easley—Rise—Class A Records
Originally from Mississippi, Angela first began singing in public
at her local church aged 8, at the age of 13, she went on to win a
local talent show and the prize was, to perform at the Grand Ole
Orpry; by the age of 14 she had released her first album entitled
‘Country Angel’. Whilst touring with the band ‘Bayou Lagniappe’
as their lead singer aged 15, she was invited by George Jones to
appear on the number ‘I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair’. The
album ‘Country Rockin’, went on to become a regional hit. Over
the next 12 years she continued to tour all over the south east.
Aged 24 Angela relocated to Nashville and formed ‘The Angela Easley Band’. Angela and her band
are now into their 4th year of residency at the Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar in Nashville. She
also hosts her own weekly radio show on ‘Radio Free Nashville’. 103.7 FM and 107.1 FM.
This six track E.P. features Angela on lead vocals and piano, with the core band of; Walter Scott; B3
organ, Calvin Johnson; bass, and Brian Czach; drums. The opening number is the gospel influenced
piano led ballad ‘I Can Let Go’, Angela’s strong confident vocals are splendidly backed by the vocal
quartet The McCrary Sisters. ‘Running Out Of Time’, is a tasty little funker that features spiky horns
courtesy of Kiran Gupta and Jim Williamson, trumpet with Garen Webb and Roy Agee on trombone,
Marcus Finnie, provides the pummelling drum work. ‘Rise’, sees Shelly Fairchild share powerful
lead vocals with Angela on the almost spiritual, horn led rousing anthem, calling upon equality for
all. ‘Don’t Let The Devil Down’, is in a similarly musically muscular vein except that, the meaning
here is that one should actively go out and fight with the Devil. ‘One More Last Time’, is a soul
laden slow-burner that is led by emotion filled vocals entwined with haunting guitar from Randall
Scott Peterson. ‘Crazy Rain’, is a mellow country influenced slow–burner, underpinned by a ringing
and fuzzy guitar telling a tale of confidence and faith.
Very impressive!
Brian Harman