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and Saturday nights, he went on to develop his own playing style after taking lessons from the local
country guitar wizard Virgil Clopton.

Over the years, Rusty has continued to mix and match many musical styles, believing that there
should not be barriers in music. This album was originally released in 1996 on the Rollin’ and
Tumblin’ Record Label but, shortly afterwards the label folded and the album disappeared with it.
In November 2020, the CEO of Earwig Records, Michael Frank, met up with Rusty and was so
charmed and impressed by Rusty, his music and this album that Earwig Records have decided to
re-issue it.

The 17 numbers here are all Rusty originals, Rusty is on lead vocals and guitar with Dave Zirnheld;
bass, Gene Wickliffe and Danny Kelly on drums, Rod Wurtele; B3 and keyboards, Jim Rosen;
harmonica, Gary Hicks; trumpet and Kelly Bechtloff; saxophone, percussion is provided by Barry
Shaw. The album was recorded at Real To Reel Studios, in Louisville, Kentucky.

The opener, ‘What Next?’ is a lively harmonica and rolling piano led foot tapper, underpinned with
a very pleasant, softly punching percussion. On ‘Secrets In The Street’, Rusty displays an engagingly
mellow, ringing guitar style and relaxed creamy vocals. Guest vocalist Robbie Bartlett delivers a
splendidly soulful stark vocal on the smoky B3 led slow burning ‘Blue Shadows’ and on the late
night club setting of ‘Broken Dreams for sale’, where she dreamily and painfully duets with a sparse
heartbroken harmonica. The engaging, rolling instrumental ‘Sinner’s Strut’, allows Rusty to sweetly
swing and richly pick at his guitar to everybody’s delight.
Another splendid toe-tapper is ‘High Powered Loving Man’, a strutting horn led funker with
seriously pleasant, ivory pounding underpinning Rusty, as he picks and lays his claim to fame. The
slow burning, percolating B3 of ‘Something Wrong is Going On’, is the perfect setting for Rusty’s
creamily mournful guitar and his melancholy vocals on this tale of marital disharmony. A splendidly
wailing harmonica leads the rocking ‘I’m Searching’, with punching percussion and prowling guitar
adding to the enjoyment. ‘High Beams’ is a very enjoyable and relaxing rolling piano-led tale,
delivered in a very satisfying New Orleans setting.

Most Impressive!
Brian Harman

Clare Free—I’ll Never Love Again—Self/Bandcamp

Some time ago, when Clare released her first album, in an
interview, I gently chided her that she should include some roots,
12 bar stuff in her sets. Well, she’s been and gorn and dun it.

This self penned song is a masterpiece of modern blues and
should propel Clare to the next level. It comes with some feisty
guitar work from Clare herself, almost contemporary shredding,
mixed with some traditional fills and string bending. The vocal,
slightly husky but with a remarkable vibrato is outstanding too.
All in all a quite extraordinary example of British Blues.
Delivered with skill and panache. I cant wait to hear more.

Ian K McKenzie

Ilana Katz Katz—In My Mind—Ilana Katz Katz/Roots Music

I first came across Ms Katz when she released her album
“Subway Stories” in 2017. Ilana had spent a great deal of
time playing for commuters travelling on the subway system