Page 50 - BiTS_12_DECEMBER_2022_Neat
P. 50
The sound is as ever, stadium rock with a vengeance. Strong songs with years of experience
behind them! Want thudding bass and drums? —you’ve got it! Want searing guitar (with
feedback)? —you’ve got it! Want all the guys singing along — Guess what —you’ve got it!
Clearly some of this is from the archives. Tracks include a version of ‘Believe’ with vocals by
Mandie and some really nice slide work from Robin Bibi . This is nicely paired / contrasted with
a version of the same song featuring Gary, Kelly and Danny.
This one is nice stuff but suffers more than a bit with that bane of the rockers - poor diction.
Often -too often- the lyrics are incomprehensible.
Ian K. McKenzie
Stompin’ Dave and Lucy Piper—We Can Talk In Person— Self
I have no idea how many CDs Dave Allen (Stompin’ Dave) has
made, I’m pretty sure he’d be hard pushed to be accurate on the
number too! He is a singularly prolific artist who over and over
goes the extra mile to deliver an outstanding show to his
audience.
Dave is a skilled musician, playing guitar, fiddle, banjo and piano
and as if that’s not enough, he tops it off with highly accomplished
‘flat foot’ dancing — often while playing one or more of his
instruments.
Lucy Piper is the daughter of the late bluesman Julian Piper who for most of his life WAS Blues
Southwest. Lucy is no flash in the pan. She has worked hard learning the special skill required
to be the percussionist for blues musicians. She has learned well and is firmly in the mould of
Sam Below, Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith and Elgin Evans (Elga Edmonds).
Here we have fifteen (told you he goes the extra mile) original tracks featuring exemplary
performances each of which comes with an added ingredient—authenticity. Once, the key
phrase in the minds of the UK blues aficionados was the search for ‘authenticity’. In the 1950s
and 1960s, those declared not to be authentic were cast to the four winds. Even Muddy Waters
was castigated for his use of an electric guitar!
Stompin’ Dave is replete with authenticity. His music brings to mind the hokum, jug and string
bands of yesteryear and for me at least is a wonderful reminder of and tribute to the pioneers
of blues and roots music who did not follow a model, but created it from scratch.
Get this album and sample it for yourself. It even comes with a bit of tap-dancing (a tad like
listening to a ventriloquist on the radio). Great guitar work, fine singing and authentic lyrics
and melodies. WONDERFUL!
Stompin’ Dave the embodiment of authenticity! Lucy Piper BLUES drummer!
Ian K McKenzie