Page 59 - BiTS_04_APRIL_2025

Leighton (L. R.)Phoenix—If The Devil Sang
The Blues—Bandcamp

Back in the old days, it was not unusual to come

across a solo artist with a big, big, voice who could
make the revelers in a juke joint or a congregation
in a church and later in the classic blues period, in

a theatre, stop their chatter and LISTEN. That kind
of powerful voice has become something of an
anathema these days, but when one comes across

such an artist, it is simply a delight. L.R. Phoenix, is
such a delight. His musical heroes are singers from
the 1920s and thirties, like Eddie (Son) House, Missisippi Fred McDowell, Bukka

White and RL Burnside and he sings in a commanding, controlled baritone with
outstanding breath control, with a voice to raise the dead.

Here, in a live concert he also demonstrates that he can accompany himself with

ringing and effective guitar licks making one feel that you have slipped back in time
to the Delta days of peripatetic blues men making a living from travelling from town
to town, singing for their supper.

Songs include, ‘Smokestack Lightnin'’. ‘Grinnin' in Your Face’, ‘Red Cross Store’.
‘Preachin' Blues’. ‘Po' Black Mattie’ ‘Shake 'em On Down’, ‘Levee Camp Blues’, ‘Cross
Road Blues’, ‘Death Letter’.

Twenty-one tracks of unadulterated vocal magic. Get it now!

Ian K McKenzie

Ged Wilson—Regular Man—Bad Monkey
Records

Ged Wilson has been described as a ‘bluesifier’ of
songs and he has a wealth of experince. He regales
us here with a set of ten songs (actually one

(’Magenta’) is an intrumental) best listened to
lying back in a comfortable chair with your
favourite tipple.

This is a tremendous set, revealing a man who has
confidence in his songwriting and in his delivery
and that assessment is well justified. In a long

tradition, the set even includes a modern ‘Murder Ballad’ — ‘Murder on Bolton Road’.
A cracker!

If you get a chance, see Ged live and sample a man completely at ease with his music

and himself. Wonderful.

Ian K McKenzie