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in Boston, Mass. A master of blues fiddle and Appalachian music, she is also a designer, a

    painter and  an embryonic author. In 2008 she started being mentored by Ronnie Earl, who
    played on her first record and was instrumental in bringing her before growing audiences in
    and around Boston.

    This new album is a tour de force. Joined by Johnny Burgin and his band, the disc was
    produced by “Ghost Town Blues Band” bandleader Matt Isbell who appears on some tracks.
    Ilana was a guest on his last release.


    Here are eleven tracks of stunningly good music.  The fiddle work is immaculate and Ilana’s
    skill, including some wonderful double stopping work, is enthralling.  Her singing is
    controlled and some of the songs are outstanding. Check out ‘Woman, Play The Blues’ with a
    laid-back, jazzy vocal and ‘Downtown with the Devil’ (a jazzy piece with excellent fiddle and
    more wonderful sultry vocals). My only, very minor complaint is that the reverb in the mix
    makes it sound a little like she is still in the subway. Intentional?  Maybe.


    Get this one as soon as you can and start pestering festivals and venues to get her over
    here!

    Ian K. McKenzie

                                           Dave Hunt—Behind the Moon—Mad Ears Production

                                           Although Dave started his musical career at 18, as a

                                           drummer, he soon found his position at the front of the
                                           band, first as a vocalist and later combining singing with
                                           blues harp playing. He is accomplished in both fields.

                                           In 2012, he signed a deal with UK label Mad Ears
                                           Productions, and through his work with the label has
                                           featured as a guest musician on releases by Mockingbird

                                           Hill, Mick Simpson, Malaya Blue, and Donna Shaw from
                                           USA.

    This is his fourth full album (plus a smattering of EPs) and a great job he has done too.  The
    opener ‘Take Me To The Sun’ is a stunner which has the air of a movie theme. Dave can
    really sing!  ‘Swamp Snake Moan’ with a ‘Spirit In The Sky’ riff is   a magical atmospheric
    piece and the title track  is inventive and the musicianship is spectacular, as is ‘Funky Stew’

    which incidentally comes with some first class drumming.

    Producer is Andy Littlewood, and guest musicians, including Stuart Goodacre, Pete Nelson,
    and the MEP Collective do an exceptional job, producing a big, big sound that will fill stadia
    and rock venues. Fabuloso!

    Ian K. McKenzie
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