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wailing harmonica and we also get our first glimpse of the Stones doing C&W which was going to

feature on more of their albums down the line, again executed perfectly.

Even as a Stones fan who loved the original LP I found this album perfectly acceptable and
recognise that the band are very accomplished being able to replicate these sounds which saw the
Stones mixing their R&B roots with the more modern sounds of the 60s. However, I do question
the point of it – why slavishly replicate something that already exists when you have the talent to
create your own original material?

Graham Harrison

John Hammond and the Wicked Grin Band—Wicked Grin Live—
Mig Music—ASIN: B09M9C8776

In 2001 John Hammond issued the album ‘Wicked Grin’ which
contained all songs by Tom Waits (including the song ‘Fannin
Street’ which at the time Tom himself hadn't released) and was

also produced by Mr. Waits. John toured the following year to
promote the album backed by a series of musicians who had
previously worked with Tom and by the time of the Bremen,
Germany gig featured on this album the musicians were Frank
Carillo (guitar), Marty Ballou (bass) and Stephen Hodges
(drums).

Although this is a completely different set of musicians from those on the original album as guys
who had worked with Tom they do undisputedly capture the Waits-sound – at turns sinister – ‘Clap
Hands’, chaotic - ‘Heartattack & Vine’ and sweet and sentimental - ‘Murder in the Red Barn’ and
‘Jockey Full of Bourbon’. This 2-CD set features 18 tracks, with all the tracks from the album plus
extra songs like ‘Gun Street Girl’ and ‘Fish in the Jailhouse’ and also ‘Cold Water’ from Tom’s ‘Get
Behind the Mule’ CD that John also played on, plus ‘Gin Soaked Boy’ that John later covered on his
‘Ready For Love’ album. On ‘Buzz Fledderjohn’ John is featured playing his National guitar and on

‘I Know I’ve Been Changed’ - which originally featured a vocal duet between John and Tom – the
band join in on the vocals to support John, as they also do on ‘Clap Hands’. This is a great record
of a tour that I would have loved to have seen, I really liked the ‘Wicked Grin’ CD and John and the
band do a great job in recreating the album live. As Tom said of John at the time 'For a writer It's
flattering to have someone like John do your songs, he has Invaluable experience and finesse, he

makes me sound good!"
Graham Harrison

John Mayall—The Sun is Shining Down—Forty Below Records—
ASIN: B09HSKS8KX

This is John's fifth album for Eric Corne's Forty Below Records, a
combination that has really rejuvenated Mr. Mayall's career and
produced some of his best records for years. I'm just a bit sad
that many reviews will focus on the many guest musicians

involved here as though that was the story, when in fact the real
story is that at 88 John himself is still sounding as good as ever,
singing and playing keyboards, harp and guitar. The album blasts
off with 'Hungry and Ready' with Melvin Taylor from Chicago on
lead guitar and a riffing brass section of Ron Dziubla (sax), Mark