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The music includes a great track from Neil Young with The Sadies, great version of ‘Wheels on

Fire’, a song of course written by Bob Dylan with Rick Danko. Suzy McNeil brings us a great
version of ‘Ain’t Got No Home’, a New Orleans classic from Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry with some
great keyboard work from Todd Lumley.

Another Dylan song ‘Clothes Line Saga ‘comes from the Cowboy Junkies, the well-known (2) brother
(1) sister trio of Peter Timmons, Michael Timmons and Margo Timmons. Love it.

Not surprisingly, Dylan aside, many of the songs come from the pen of Robbie Robertson front man
of The Band: for example, ‘Canadian Driftwood’, ‘Out Of The Blue’ and ‘The Shape I’m In’.

This is a terrific reminder of the fabulous music that was created by Robertson and his colleagues
and as I listen to it, I was constantly reminded of a great movie “The Last Waltz“ which if you
haven’t seen it, is recommended to you.

This one is well worth checking out!

Ian K. McKenzie

Healing Kind Of Blues—Val Starr & the Blues Rocket— Sandwich
Factory Records

”Healing Kind of Blues” is Val Starr & The Blues Rocket's 6th CD
and what a delight it is!

The album continues Val's unique style of uplifting, inspiring,
California Blues and as it says on the tin “contains multiple styles

of blues, including shuffles, swing, ballads and rock infused
blues.” The album features special guest appearances by
Canadian powerhouse blues keyboards wiz, Debra Powers and has
contributions from blues violinist, Ilana Katz Katz from Boston, MAS.

Largely written during the pandemic, Val Starr says, "Above all else, there is no denying the healing
power of music."

Well, healing power a-plenty here.

As Val puts it herself: these are songs forged largely during the pandemic. She has taken the
opportunity for introspection and I reached inside to relay personal anecdotes on getting older,
with humour and grace, as well as demonstrating a profound love for the blues. The title track
‘Healing Kind of Blues’ is a cracker of a song with some outstanding bass work, while ‘All About the

Shuffle’ sounds like a song the Andrews Sisters, from all those years ago might have covered. Try
the feisty ‘Outside Looking In’ its a cracker too. Finally ‘We’re Not Getting Older’ (we’re getting
better) is an anthem for all of us ‘over the hill’ who need a pick-me-up. Healing indeed.

Ian K McKenzie