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This set casts its net even wider, reeling in rembetika again alongside the traditional ‘St. James
Infirmary’, Arthur “Big Boy Crudup’s ‘That’s Alright Mama’ (the slowest version I’ve ever heard,
and very effective), the original ‘Rootdog Blues’, sung by Fran Wood and with some particularly
impressive slide guitar work by Mark, and the electric R’n’B of ‘Shortman’, again sung by Fran. The
opener, ‘Willow Tree’ is based on a Bessie Smith number, though now it has undergone some
radical transformation.

Mark also turns his attention to Irish music, Jamaican nyabinghi sounds and Breton music – but
listen carefully and you may hear the occasional blues inflection, whilst Iqbal Pathan adds yet
another extra dimension with his Indian percussion. If you appreciate the likes of Taj Mahal’s or Ry
Cooder’s exploration into genres other than the blues, chances are you’ll go for this. The overall
result is a vastly entertaining and educational release.

Norman Darwen
Pierce Dipner—Goin’ Back—Independent

(www.piercedipner.com)

Pierce Dipner is a young singer and guitarist out of Pittsburgh, PA
who began playing at the age of eight, and this is his debut full

length album. Now, you might expect a blues-rock set, but instead,
and very pleasingly, what you actually get here is an extremely
impressive traditionally-slanted blues set.

There’s an excellent broom-dusting ‘Empty Bed Blues’, and a
bluesified cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ that sounds
like it has come straight out of a Windy City blues club - and at just

a second under six minutes, it is easily the set’s longest track. ‘Nobody But Myself To Blame’ is a
tough, driving performance with excellent backing here (as there is throughout the album), particu-
larly by Joe Munroe on organ - and ‘Tore Us Apart’ is a very fine slow blues. There is a down-home
sound to the title track itself, in contrast to the grooving, soul-inflected ‘No Half Steppin’’ (nice horns
here too).

The closing ‘Memphis In The Rain’ is the atypical number of the album, a country-soul tinged track

originally by the late Americana artist (and son of Steve Earle) Justin Townes Earle. It is a noteworthy
performance, but then so are all ten tracks. Well worth checking out.

Norman Darwen

Regina Bonelli—Truth Hurts—True Groove
(www.reginabonelli.com)

A fine, feisty singer from Brooklyn, New York, Regina has a real
way with blues and vintage soul and all points in between. She is
here backed by The True Groove All-Stars, led by co-producer/
guitarists Tomas Doncker and James Dellatacoma, the former
name rapidly becoming more widely known for some excellent
and interesting blues sets. Regina’s album also falls into that
category.

Listen to the soul-styled ‘Truth Hurts’ itself, with the leader’s
voice way out in front, the top-notch slow blues ‘Cross To Bear’ or