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‘Me In Your Arms Tonight’ is a nice gentle slow-blues which features some really tasteful
guitar work from Morten Omlid. There is a distinct Status Quo feel to the rocking blues ‘Inner
City Queen’ before the album closes out with ‘Rumble & Roll’.

Spoonful of Blues are very much on their game with this excellent blues album. Whilst there is
nothing particularly new here the way the songs are constructed and executed makes for a
true blues album of note. The songs are well thought out and attention to detail such as well
constructed endings which is something a lot of bands tend to overlook makes for something
more than just basic twelve bar blues but never drifting too far from the essence of the blues.

Eskil Aasland’s drums are crisp which blends so well together with Tony Caddle’s subtle
punctuating bass lines. Jostein Forsberg is on top form with his harmonica work and whilst his
vocal is not particularly dynamic, it still suits the style of the band. Morten Omlid has a really
nice touch on guitar, never overplaying but making every note count. If blues is your thing you
are going to love this album.

Sadly at the time of writing I heard of Morten Omlid’s passing, my heartfelt condolences,
thoughts and love go out to his family and the members of the band.

Ged Wilson

Redfish Blues Band—Together Is Better— Self Release

Redfish Blues Band are now quite well established on the Brit-
ish blues scene having been recently nominated in the 2023 UK
Blues Awards. “Together Is Better” is their brand new album.

‘Breakout’ has a good upbeat light country blues feel to it and
acts as a way of introducing the band with solos abounding.
‘Funky Hammond’ does exactly what it says on the tin, its an
instrumental which is awash with lush Hammond sounds and
funky wah guitar. There is more of a dramatic rock blues ballad
feel to the piano led ‘Money Don’t Make It Right’ which weighs
in at over eight minutes long. ‘Move On’ is a riff based funk blues
with some great Gregg Rolie style Hammond vibes going down.
There is a more jazz blues feel to ‘Soho Rising (Girls Girls Girls)’ which brought to mind a hint
of Bison Hip. Things slow down with ‘Time Passes By’ which has a distinct Dire Straits vibe to
it. The title track ‘Together Is Better’ is an upbeat soul blues which has a familiar uplifting vibe
to it. There is definitely some Fabulous Thunderbirds going on with ‘You Don’t Love Me Baby’.

Redfish Blues Band work well together, Rob McKay on bass and Steve Gibson on drums really
nail down a solid foundation for Steve McGuckin to go to town with the lush sounds of the
Hammond. Christian Sharpe’s guitar work is also on point and his vocals are solid, sometimes
reminiscent of Paul Rodgers, other times more American sounding. Ronnie Semple who guests
on a couple of tracks really adds something to the band with his great harmonica vamps.

Although the songs are well constructed and executed I still feel as if there is something
missing, maybe a bit hollow sounding or needs the ears of a good producer. Maybe they just
need to find their own identity and soul because when they do find it they are going to be
awesome!

Ged Wilson