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‘Roll It’ has some lovely sounding tremolo guitar that gives off that Credence Clearwater Revival
vibe. ‘Tick-Tock’ opens and closes with a ticking clock would you believe! This is a great funky

rocking number but does meander a little. The album closes with a big finish on ‘Hard Rain’ a
really powerfully song that has some interesting spaced out sounds towards the end leaving you
wanting more.

This album has a tight rhythm section with some great guitar work but is not overladen with
guitar solos. In fact most songs average around three minutes. The Hammond organ really

enhances the recording and the songs all written by Grainne are of good quality. The strength of
this album lies in Grainne’s voice, it’s her vocal delivery that makes this album. She has a great
country blues vocal style that is appealing, at times you can hear a little bit of Bonnie Raitt in
there too. Although this brand of blues rock is not quite my bag I can see its commercial appeal
and would recommend you give it a spin.

Ged Wilson

Various Artists - American Folk Blues Live In Manchester
1962 - Rhythm And Blues Records

As well as being the home to the Halle Orchestra, the Free
Trade Hall Manchester was the iconic venue in the city for the
best music gigs back in the 1960’s and 70’s. In fact I was a
regular there at that time and seeing the likes of John Mayall,
The Groundhogs and Rory Gallagher live in concert helped me

discover the love I have for the blues. Sadly the Free Trade Hall
(built upon the site of the Peterloo Massacre) as a venue is no
more but the building remains as a hotel.

So it was somewhat of a surprise to see a new release (December 2020) of a live recording of

American blues artists at the Free Trade Hall from 1962. Apparently this recording was originally
made for a TV arts programme called ‘Tempo’ which was shown in the UK on ABC TV.

Before I get to the music, let me explain how this show is more significant than you may realise.
First off, this was the first major concert in Britain to feature American blues artists which would
have acted as a catalyst to the 60’s British blues boom. Secondly, I say this because we know that
Paul Jones, Alexis Korner, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Jimmy Page were all in

the audience and look how significant they all became.

Although the music is American there is no doubting that this is on British soil as the album
opens up with an introduction from Leonard Maguire on behalf of ‘Tempo’ in that old style ‘Pathe
News’ type voice which really made me smile.