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‘Wang Dang Doodle’ gets your foot tapping and has a nice soulful feel to it. ‘I Want To
Be Loved’ is a blues shuffle with a pleasant guitar break from Nik Svarc. The album

closes with the very topical ‘It Don’t Make Sense (You Can’t Make Peace)’ which is an
eight minute slow burner.

This album is what you would probably expect; classic Willie Dixon songs played well

not drifting too far from the originals. The band are tight and hold it together
throughout and I must highlight an exceptional performance on piano and keys from
Bennett Holland.

The star of the show is undoubtedly Emma herself who has a grip on the phrasing
and nuances required in the world of blues singing. At times the vocal seems a little

forced but there is no denying she has an exceptional voice. This is an album I’m sure
all blues fans will enjoy.

Ged Wilson

Rebecca Downes—Stranger Blue—Mad Hat Re-
cords

I first came across Rebecca Downes when we shared
the Blues introducing stage at Skegness UK about

ten years ago. Needless to say she has gone on from
strength to strength and established herself on the

British blues scene. This E.P. is made up of five cover
songs which have had a makeover from Rebecca and
musical collaborator Steve Birkett.

‘Sign Your Name’ is the opener with a nice light and
jazzy vibe to this Terence Trent D’Arby cover. ‘I Can’t

Make You Love Me’ has a warm stripped back feel to it. I liked the Bonnie Raitt
version but I really like Rebecca’s version too. ‘Crazy’ has a Latin acid jazz vibe to it,
a bit more laid back than the Cee Lo Green version almost bordering on Lisa Stans-

field’s territory.

The classic ‘Hallelujah’ is a much covered song but Rebecca manages to carry it off.

The album closes with ‘This War Is Over’ which has a gentle almost anthemic sound
to it.

These songs are well produced and have a great feel to them with Rebecca adding her
own personality to make for good interpretations of these classics. Unlike some
singers out there Rebecca has found her own voice which has a real sweetness to it

that does not sound strained or forced and it just sounds great!

Ged Wilson