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'Sleepwalk' and the honest, emotion stirring 'Night Life', was written by Willie Nelson
but, has very fine echoes B.B. King's version.

Recommended!

Brian Harman

Al Lerman—Country-Fried Blues— Indepen-
dent release

Al Lerman is a blues veteran from Toronto Canada
and “Country-Fried Blues” is his fifth album re-
lease.

‘The Backbug Song’ opens the album with a nice
light bluesy feel. ‘Big Bill’s Blues’ has a nice jazz

vibe with some lovely fiddle accompaniment from
Jimmy Bowskill, whilst ‘How High Is Up’ has some
Jimmy Reed sounds going on.

There is a funky gospel feel to ‘How Much Longer Can A Broken Heart Last’ and
‘Come On In My Kitchen’ is a really good foot tapping version of the Robert Johnson

classic. ‘Summer Strollin’ is a great harmonica led instrumental with hints of Sonny
Boy Williamson the second.

‘That’s What Friends Are For’ swings in the style of Jimmy Reed with those high
register overblows on the harp. ‘I Heard That Lonesome Whistle’ has a feel of Ry
Cooder about it even minus the slide guitar! ‘Can’t Pin A Colour’ is a nice upbeat

blues which reminded me of ‘ Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover’. There is a gentle
soulful feel to ‘You By My Side’ whilst ‘Lowdown Just The Same’ has a New Orleans
edge to it. ‘Too Bad For You (Too Bad For Me)’ has a nice lazy swing to it before the

album closes with the aptly named tune, ‘Last One To Leave The Party’.

Apparently this album was recorded in an old 19th century farmhouse that’s been

converted into a studio which lends itself to a laidback almost live atmosphere with
all the musicians sounding relaxed and enjoying the music. This joyous vibe really

comes across with a good mix of acoustic instruments and Al Lerman himself
comes across as both relaxed and on top of his game pulling the set together with
his skilled harmonica and vocal style.

There is definitely a hint of what you get from listening to a J.J. Cale record here so
if you like your blues chilled, this could be the album for you.

Ged Wilson