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‘Weep and Moan’ is a slow minor blues burner whilst the quirky lyrics and jazzy Rhodes piano of
‘Freshly Squozen’ gives off a nice playfulness to the song. The title track ‘Heart on the Line’ a brass
infused blues brings the album to a close.

Vanessa has many talents and she is a fine songwriter, has a great voice and can really excel on the

saxophone. She has surrounded herself with some great musicians to make this well produced
album. Whilst there are obvious comparisons to be made here with Bonnie Raitt I am keen to see
where the journey takes Vanessa next. One to look out for.

Ged Wilson

Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations - My Getaway

In April 2017, the group known as Moreland and Arbuckle (M&A)
announced that they were amicably dissolving the band after a
15-year career. The Wichita, Kansas trio played hundreds of
shows, performing in the United States and around the world.
Aaron Moreland essentially left the music business, but Dustin
Arbuckle immediately founded the Damnations, taking with him
drummer Kendall Newby from M&A. Dustin added Brandon

Hudspeth on guitar (who worked with Jaisson Taylor in Hudspeth
and Taylor) and also added Caleb Drummond or Mark Foley on
bass.

The band have already released two EPs; ‘Live at the Hook and Ladder’ and a self titled effort. This

is their first full album and its a stunner.

Dustin draws his inspiration for sources as wide as Charley Patton, The Band or Stax-style soul,
and the band are not afraid to venture into ground occupied by the likes of Miles Davis and other
jazz maestros.

Twelve tracks of exemplary musicianship ranging from the opener ‘Say My Name’, which is a a bit
of a nod to Muddy, through the outstanding sounds of ‘Across The Desert’, to the country feel of
‘When A Song Comes Along’. No doubt though, my favourite track is ‘Swingling’ a jazz inflected
piece, provoking memories of big bands and Billy Strayhorn arrangements. Super low-register work
from Dustin. Wonderful.

Once this COVID thing is over, some enterprising entrepreneur MUST bring them to the UK ASAP.

Ian K McKenzie