Page 53 - BiTS_05_MAY_2023

This is an impressive and enjoyable no-nonsense blues set from one of Europe’s leading blues
bands. As they say, onwards and upwards.

Norman Darwen

Nelson Blanchard—Nelson Blanchard—White Car Records
(www.nelsonblanchard.com)

Nelson is a former member of southern rock band LeRoux and
has also worked with the likes of Kenny Neal, Ernie K-Doe, Irma
Thomas and Percy Sledge. He certainly knows how to sing that
sweet soul music, as the opening track, an original composition
entitled ‘The Girl Don’t Love You’, shows – it’s an excellent per-
formance.

Many readers will realise that surname does tend to indicate a
Louisiana origin – and they’d be correct in this case. Mind you, maybe a track like the duet with
John Schneider, ‘My Heart’s In Louisiana’, is also something of a giveaway, especially with the
Cajun veteran Jo-El Sonnier on accordion. There is also the rocking, romping group blues,
‘Treat Your Lady Right’, with Kenny Neal on guitar and harmonica for another side of Louisiana
music.

Elsewhere there is some country-soul, romantic pop, a country-tinged trucker’s boogie (‘Big
I-10’), the straight country of ‘Far Cry’, a couple of reflective ballads, and ‘Free Bird In The
Wind’, the latter a heartfelt tribute to the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. Closing out this varied,
rootsy, and certainly enjoyable set is a swamp pop cover of Don & Dewey’s ‘Leaving It Up To
You’, a wonderful duet with vocalist Tareva Henderson – a lovely way to end this album.

Norman Darwen

The Cash Box Kings—Oscar’s Motel—Alligator Records

The Cash Box Kings have been plying their trade around Chicago
for over twenty years now. The band is centered around blues
vocalist Oscar Wilson and harmonica giant Joe Nosek who to-
gether really excel in putting that Chicago blues sound out there
as this latest album attests.

The album opens with the title track ‘Oscar’s Motel’ which hits
you with that big Howlin’ Wolf Smokestack Lightning type
sound. There is some nice brass that really adds to the funky
‘Down On The South Side’ that has a Larry McCray type vibe about it. There is some ripped up
harmonica on the Muddy Waters slow blues ‘Please Have Mercy’ whilst Oscar Wilson is joined
by Deidra Farr on vocals on ‘I Can’t Stand You’ to argue over their Facebook Posts no less!

There is a quick upbeat rendition of the Sonny Boy Williamson song ‘Pontiac Blues’ and some
more tasty harmonica on ‘She Dropped The Axe On Me’. ‘I Want What Chaz Has’ is a cheeky
light hearted shuffle before the album closes with ‘Ride Santa Ride’ a Yuletide Chuck Berry type
rocker.