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For the latter try the pulsating, rocking ‘Say You Wanna Dance’ or the Southern-rock
styled cover of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Dead Flowers’. ‘Monterey’ and ‘Teaser’ are
blues-rock all the way, and Brad’s vocal sounds a little like Paul Rodgers on his own
‘Heartbreaker’, maybe no coincidence as he then covers Mick Ralphs ‘Ready For
Love’, written for Mott The Hoople but which was later taken up by Bad Company.
In complete contrast though is the delicate instrumental ‘Love And Peace’, written
by bluesman and ace session musician Arthur (K.) Adams, or Brad’s own straight-
forward shuffle ‘Back Roads’. Eddie Cochran’s ‘Summertime Blues’ is something of
a surprise, but fits well here.
Brad plays blues-rock that remembers there are two halves to that definition, and
that the order of the two is like that for a reason – he stays close to the blues
throughout. It’s easy to figure out why Brad’s popularity is growing all the time –
he’s just so good at what he does.
Norman Darwen
(www.bradwilsonlive.com)
Kim Field and the Perfect Gentlemen—Don’t
Need but One—Blues Dream
Portland, Oregon’s Kim Field may be known to
some – blues harp lovers especially – for his book
Harmonicas, Harps And Heavy Breathers and as
co-author of the biography The Blues Dream Of Billy
Boy Arnold. It should come as no surprise then that
he is himself a very fine blues player, and he shows
it throughout this mostly swinging blues set – try
the instrumental ‘Dress The Monkey’ for a fine
example.
He is also a fine singer, songwriter and band-leader too, as this release also
demonstrates. His vocals are generally cool – lend an ear to the groovy, early soul
sound of the title track.
His songs are memorable, and mostly squarely in the blues tradition and each with
his own individual touch. As for his band – it’s described as an All Star outfit because
that’s what it is. One name leapt out at me – Chris Mercer on tenor sax as a member
of The Soul Survivor Horns, formerly a member of John Mayall’s band in the 60s,
and I just discovered he came from a few miles up the road from where I live! Then
there is Jimi Bott on drums – of The Mighty Flyers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The
Mannish Boys and many, many more. But everyone involved impresses mightily.

