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of humour. Try a number like ‘Good Night Irene’, an original, and nothing to do with Leadbelly’s
well-known song.

Then Mick’s treatment of the slower items ‘A Good Day For The Blues’, and ‘Slow And Easy Love’ is
totally convincing. Both are excellent vehicles for Mick’s lived-in voice. So too is one of only two
non-originals here, Howling Wolf’s ‘Who’s Been Talking’, taken slightly slower than the original
but maintaining its deep, brooding feel.

The other cover is a drastic re-working of American singer/ songwriter James Taylor’s ‘Lo And
Behold’, part folk, part gospel, part blues-rock – but wholly successful. So too is the soulful opener,
‘I Can’t Help Myself’, whilst the closer is the odd-one out here, a song dedicated to Mick’s daughter
and the only one that does not readily fit into a “blues and roots” definition – but it is heartfelt,
and there’s a gospel tinge to it. As I said at the beginning, a fine and varied album.

Norman Darwen
(www.mimsmick.com)

Misty Blues – Nothing to Lose – Independent (Single)

This Williamstown, MA band has a strong number here, not a 12

bar by any means but certainly a distinctive blues with shades of
jazz, soul and gospel. Lead singer Gina Coleman’s voice has more

than just a shade of Nina Simone as she sings over a strong,
brassy backing and ensemble vocals from various band members
providing a response to Gina’s lead and helping to create the

mighty groove that the song achieves. An individual number, yes,
proving that the band are a cut above the average and one for

which it is certainly well worth making an effort to track it down.

Norman Darwen
(www.mistybluesband.com)

Ajay Srivastav – Shanti – Scion Srass 20

The eclectic London based singer, guitarist and bandleader Ajay
Srivastav draws heavily on his Indian heritage for this song, a
single from his upcoming album “Powerless”, due in Spring next
year. The devotional lyrics are nearly 3000 years old, and the
backing sounds predominantly Indian, though careful listening
also reveals that Ajay’s love for the blues comes through in the
guitar work. He has worked in blues settings before, as most

notably on his acclaimed 2019 album “Karmic Blues”; the track
under consideration here is an intriguing release, do listen with
open ears.

Norman Darwen

(www.ajayhq.com)

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