New Album Reviews - - -
So far we have received the following comments and playlists for the New Album :-
"Congratulations on your Essex Delta Blues 2 compilation passed to me by Johnny Gunner. You should be proud of yourselves".
John Howard
UK Rock magazine
"Hi Ashwyn. many thanks for the suprise CD which arrived today.
really enjoyed listening to it:-) sounds like essex got a good blues scene
going on?""
all the best. bernie @ future radio
Jazz & Blues Tour, C/O Joost van Steen, PO BOX 471, 2400 AL Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands
"Hai there Ashwyn
I presume you did sent me this CD and so want to thank you for it!
Like the other great CD will be my pleasure to present this one in my program as from coming tuesday
Thanks for your kind efforts to my program
kindest regards"
Joost
January 30 # 143!
1st Hour 21:00 - 22:00 hrs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Track 9 - 3 AM --- Sister Sunshine - Essex Delta Blues From A To Z Vol. II
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Well that's it for this coming tuesday, do hope you like the playlist and
ofcourse all your comments highly appreciated!
So enjoy your weekend, have a great week and do be careful, take care of
yourself and each other!
Kind regards
Joost van Steen, Host / producer Jazz & Blues Tour with Alphen Stad FM 105.4
FM 103.4 Cable
in Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands
VICENTE P. ZUMEL, Radio PICA - La Hora del Blues, Apartado de Correos 12085, 08080 Barcelona (Spain)
www.lahoradelblues.com
Hello Ashwyn,
"Thank you for your cd you have sent me for my blues radio show . It is already listed under order of reception at www.lahoradelblues.com/novedades.htm page of my website linked to your web together with an informative point mark.
My blues radio show monthy gives air-play to 20 cds (25 if there are 5 weeks on a month). So visit the "Cds Received" page and, as cds are listed in order of reception, you can easily calculate when your cd will receive air-play. Anyway, I will monthly remind you to visit my www.lahoradelblues.com/playlist.htm
Also when your cd is receiving air-play it will also have
a review on my "Quarterly Cd Reviews" page at
www.lahoradelblues.com/criticas.htm and will also be linked to
your site but, please, be patient because I have a lot of
material for review.
If you need an additional playlist copy please, let me know and I will be
delighted to send you it by air-mail postage when it is receiving
air-play".
La Hora del Blues playlist is submitted every month since 1984 to Jim McGrath of LIVING BLUES Mag. for 'TOP 25 LIVING BLUES RADIO CHART' and 'ROOTS MUSIC REPORT' among others.
"La Hora del Blues" does a continuous serious honest work and has gained through the years a good reputation among record companies, labels, artists and blues lovers all over the world
Vicente Zúmel is President and founder of the ·"Sociedad de Blues de Barcelona" (Barcelona Blues Society) which has been created to promote blues in Barcelona and surrounding area. www.bluesbarcelona.org Among other activities, the Society publishes a quartely blues magazine in spanish and bring american and european blues artists like Louisiana Red, Little Willie Littlefield, Al Copley, Angela Brown, Rob Rio, B.B. and The Blues Shacks, Paul Lamb and The King Snakes, Axel Zwigenberger or Paul Oscher among others and he is also a staff member of Austrain magazine, Blues Art Studio http://www.bluesartstudio.at/NeueSeiten/2006CDRev9-06.html
Vicente Zumel is also member of the Webcaster Alliance,
http://www.webcasteralliance.com/modules/advisoryboard, a trade organization
dedicated to providing information, education, support and services to every
aspect of the streaming media community
"La Hora del Blues" every Friday from 16.40 to 17,40 and from 20,45 to
21,45. Now live simulcast on the web at
http://www.geocities.com/radiopica/emision.m3u For further information go to my home page
"Thank you for your help and support to my blues radio show. I am sure that all my listeners will enjoy your material.
Stay in touch and keep the blues alive!! "
Vicente Zumel
From: John Connors
Sent: 29 January 2007 20:57
To: ashwyn@digitalblues.co.uk
Subject: Package Received : Essex Delta Blues in Vermont!
"Hello Ashwyn -
Your package arrived today. I must say there are many excellent tracks on the CDs you sent and no retched tracks. (but of course) :-)
Because of FCC issues, I need to preview all music before I broadcast it to catch any "salty" language...(I know...it is so stupid..annoys me too) ... but I am going to try to play "24x7" by the Rockin' Armadillos today.
Thank you so much, Ashwyn.
Cheers"
John
Those Midnight Blues
<http://playlists.infotech-nj.com/wwpv/playlist.mpl?programID=24> with John "One Chord" Connors
Air Date: Mon January 29th 2007
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Rockin' Armadillos 24/7 Essex Delta Blues Vol. II - 07:48 PM
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
"Hi
I´m a danish radio DJ, and my name is Kjell. I`m doing two shows here on the westcoast of Denmark. Tuesday evenings for two hours a blues, soul and gospel show, and sunday evenings a jazz show. After each show, we send our playlists to all artists and labels on the list, as well as to these DJ lists on the net:
bluesDJgroup, bluesOZ, bluesville, bumpNgrind and RadioDirectX
I`ve just heard your song WHAT YOU DOIN`TO ME on Essex Delta Blues
Do you have anything else we can use in our shows?"
Kjell
RADIO HOLSTEBRO 97,4 MHZ
CABLE 89,0 MHZ
Kjell Andreassen
February 6, 2007
www.RadioHolstebro.dk
ARTIST/SONG/LABEL
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bad Town Blues/Blues don`t find me here/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Johnny Gunner & The Raiders/One way ticket/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Rockin` Armadillos/24-7/Bad Moon Records
HOUR TWO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Swamp Cats/Voodoo doll/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hello from Krizevci/Croatia
Hello everybody !!
Here it's my new playlist:
Show ROCK OKO (ROCK - EYE)
RADIO/KRIZEVCI 96,60 MHz
CROATIA
Show No.489
Hosted by:RATKO MATIC & MLADEN LONCAR - MIKE
Date:05/02/2007/
OPENNING :
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROMOTION/PRESENTATION/THE STORY OF ''DIGITAL BLUES'':
ESSEX DELTA BLUES Vol. II - VARIOUS ARTISTS/BAD MOON RECORDS,2006
Hosted By Mladen Loncar - Mike
38.The Customtones/Good Taste /Bad Moon Rec.
39.Spillage/End Of The Pier/Bad Moon Rec.
40.The Zoltans/Killing Time/Bad Moon Rec.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BLUES NEVER DIES!!!!
YOU CAN SEND YOUR MUSIC AND PROMO MATERIALS AT :
MY ADDRESS:
MLADEN LONCAR
TOMISLAVOVA 9
48260 KRIZEVCI
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
Link: http://www.krizevci.info/svijet-glazbe
I'd like to say "Thank you" to all of the record labels, artists and
independent
distributors who have sent promotional considerations and for all of the
great
Blues music you've provided for my listening audience.
Please let's stay in contact
Best regards,
Mike
Sun Feb 18, 2007 3:09 am (PST)
RADIO HOLSTEBRO 97,4 MHZ
CABLE 89,0 MHZ
Kjell Andreassen
February 20, 2007
www.RadioHolstebro.dk
ARTIST/SONG/LABEL
The Heaters/Not the only fool in town/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Customtones/Good taste/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spillage/End of the pier/Bad Moon Records
MUSIC FOR THE SHOW CAN BE SEND TO:
RADIO HOLSTEBRO
att Kjell Andreassen
Gronsgade 1
7500 Holstebro
Denmark
Hi there,
please find below the playlist of the upcoming show >Bluespower< on ok:radio Bremerhaven/Germany.
Date: March 13
Time: 08.00 - 10.00 pm CET
Host: Erhard Albrecht
You'll get the show on 90.7 MHz (Antenna) or 96.95 MHz (Cable) in the Bremerhaven area or on
http://www.ok-Bremerhaven.de/studio/
This list is also posted on
Blues dj@yahoogroups.com
BluesOz@yahoogroups.com
bumpNgrind@yahoogroups.com
Bluesliste@yahoogroups.com
Bluesville@yahoogroups.com
Let me thank you for your support!
Title/Artist/CD/Label
. . . . . . . . . . . .
This life will be the death of me/Roy Mette/Essex Delta Blues - a sampler/Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Blues don't find me here/Bad Town Blues/Essex Delta Blues Vol. II/Bad Moon Records
Subject: FeedBack ... "Essex Delta Blues Vol I and Vol II" ... radio
vilafant - spain
Hello Ashwyn.
I make them know that I have received the cd's, thank you very much.
Feedback:
"I have listened to the two cd's "Essex Delta Blues Vol I" and "Essex Delta Blues Vol II", they have seemed to me to be excellent in them it is possible to estimate an interesting selection of blues of great very advisable quality, a few discs for the lovers of the blues".
Shortly he will present them as innovation in my program of blues.
Thank you.
Josep Palmada
www.radiovilafant.net
RADIO VILAFANT
JOSEP PALMADA
C/. FIGUERES, 5
17740 VILAFANT
SPAIN
Hello again
Another fantastic playlist from Dave Barker host of Dave's Blues Mix on Star FM Community Radio (Tasmania)
as follows:
Yours in Blues
Dave
Playlist #147 for Dave's Blues Mix for Sunday 6th May, 2007 - five hours of Blues on STAR FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia. (1615hrs to 2115hrs AEST) on 93.7fm, 100.3fm and 98.5fm
Presented by Dave Barker (email: d_barker@bigpond.com)
Star FM Community Radio now streaming: www.starfm.org.au See our site and become a sponsor.
For information on Australian Blues go to: www.bluesoz.com
Keep on Bluesin' - Dave Barker - To all of you who have sent C.D.s, I gratefully thank you.
Artist - Song title - Album title - Distribution
N.B. artists marked with * are Australian
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - intro for DBM
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44. Rockin' Armadillos - 24/7 - Essex Delta Blues (compilation) - Bad Moon Records
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OUTRO: *Bondi Cigars - (footsteps/closing door) - Mercy - Larrikin Records
Hello lovely Blues people,
Another beaut playlist for your records. Had good fun with this one
Kindest and Bluest regards to all
Dave
Dave's Blues Mix on Star FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia
Playlist #150 for Dave's Blues Mix for Sunday 27th May, 2007 - five hours of Blues on STAR FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia. (1615hrs to 2115hrs AEST) on 93.7fm, 100.3fm and 98.5fm
Presented by Dave Barker (email: d_barker@bigpond.com)
Please send any material for airplay (including bio's) to:
STAR FM, 3 Hall Street, St. Helens, Tasmania 7216. Australia, with many thanks.
Star FM Community Radio now streaming: www.starfm.org.au See our site and become a sponsor.
For information on Australian Blues go to: www.bluesoz.com
Keep on Bluesin' - Dave Barker - To all of you who have sent C.D.s, I gratefully thank you.
Artist - Song title - Album title - Distribution
N.B. artists marked with * are Australian
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - intro for DBM
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61 The Heaters - Not The Only Fool In Town - Essex Delta Blues (comp) - Bad Moon Records (UK)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OUTRO: *Bondi Cigars - (footsteps/closing door) - Mercy - Festival Records
Playlist #154 for Dave's Blues Mix for Sunday 24th June, 2007 - five hours of Blues on STAR FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia. (1615hrs to 2115hrs AEST) on 93.7fm, 100.3fm and 98.5fm
Presented by:
Dave Barker
(email: d_barker@bigpond.com)
Please send any material for airplay (including bio's) to:
STAR FM, PO Box 317, St. Helens, Tasmania 7216. Australia. With many thanks.
Star FM Community Radio now streaming: www.starfm.org.au See our site and become a sponsor and a member.
For information on Australian Blues go to: www.bluesoz.com
Keep on Bluesin' - Dave Barker - To record labels, artists and independent distributors who have sent C.D.s, I thank you so very much.
Artist - Song title - Album title - Distribution
N.B. artists marked with * are Australian
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - intro for DBM
39. B2B - What You Doin' To Me - Essex Delta Blues Vol 2 - Bad Moon Records (UK)
45. The Night Flies - Delta Moon - Essex Delta Blues (comp) Vol 1 - Bad Moon Records (UK)
69. Andy Robinson Band - Little Wing - Essex Delta Blues (comp) Vol 1 - Bad Moon Records (UK)
OUTRO: Bondi Cigars (footsteps/door closing) - Mercy - Festival Records
Playlist #158 for Dave's Blues Mix for Sunday 22nd July, 2007 - five hours of Blues on STAR FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia. (1615hrs to 2115hrs AEST) on 93.7fm, 100.3fm and 98.5fm
Presented by:
Dave Barker
(email: d_barker@intas.net.au)
This week playing tracks by: Matt Schofield Trio and Stringbean & the Stalkers
Artist - Song title - Album title - Distribution
N.B. artists marked with * are Australian
+ denotes request
This week
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - intro for DBM &ldots;&ldots;&ldots;&ldots;&ldots;&ldots;&ldots;&ldots;..
26. Los Tres Armadillos - Here In The Dark - Bad Moon Records (UK)
Dave Barker
Please send any material for airplay (including bio's) to:
STAR FM, PO Box 317, St. Helens, Tasmania 7216. Australia. With many thanks.
Star FM Community Radio now streaming: www.starfm.org.au See our site and become a sponsor and a member.
For information on Australian Blues go to: www.bluesoz.com
Keep on Bluesin' - Dave Barker - To record labels, artists and independent distributors who have sent C.D.s, I thank you so very much.
This week playing tracks from albums by: Iko Iko, Tinsley Ellis, Al "Coffee" McDaniel, Ana Popovic, *Jo Kelly Stephenson, Gary Sellers, Albert Castiglia & Graham Wood Drout , Tommy Keys, and John Hammond Jr.
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - intro for DBM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
30. 3AM - Sister Sunshine - Essex Delta Blues Vol 2 (comp) - Bad Moon Records (UK)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Review from Terry Clear of Radio Onda Cero (Spain)
http://www.ondacerofm.com/index.htm
For those that don't live in, or know, England you might be surprised to learn that there is a thriving blues scene there. Essex is the county to the East of London, and south part of the county borders the estuary of the River Thames (hence Essex Delta). Southend, Essex is the town on the edge of the estuary where it meets the North Sea, and it's the home of Dr.Feelgood, the R&B band that started way back in the 1970s.
Ok - education over!
Essex Delta Blues Vol 2 (Bad Moon Records) has just reached me and there are some very good bands/tracks featured on it. 13 all original tracks by 13 different bands of varying talent, and a great listen. The quality of the tracks differs, musically, but there are some real gems here - and bands that deserve a much wider recognition.
The main one of these is a band called 3 AM with vocalist Helen Turner. This is one very tight band and Helen Turner has probably the best blues voice in the UK at this time - to my mind she could hold her own Worldwide. The rest of the band, Tim Renton & Iain Black (guitars), Trevor Turley (bass), Andy Renton (drums) & Chris Parren on keyboards, are well accomplished and give Helen the backup that she deserves - I'd really like to hear a lot more of them! The track on this CD, "Sister Sunshine", is an excellent medium tempo blues with plenty of opportunity for the different musicians to shine - if this is representative of the band, then they should have an album out!!!
The following track on the CD,"Muso Blues," is by a band called The Untouchables, and again this is a band that deserves more exposure.
It's difficult to give a complete review on a compilation CD without going into detail on every track - and that makes the review heavy going. Suffice it to say, that there really isn't a bad track on the CD - some aren't altogether to my taste, but that doesn't make them bad tracks.
Apart from the bands already mentioned, Bad Town Blues also deserve a mention, as do The Heaters.
If you get your hands on this CD, you won't be disappointed & you'll have a good insight into the UK blues scene - give it a listen!!!
--- Terry Clear ---
Review from:
www.bluenight.com/BluesBytes/wn0307.html
8th August 2007
Hello everyone,
Another great playlist this week (even though I say it myself!!)
NB I'm taking a few weeks off - need another break- (don't we all?) Dave's Blues Mix will next be on air on Sept 16.
Kindest regards to you all and MAY THE BLUES BE WITH YOU
Dave
Dave's Blues Mix on Star FM Community Radio, St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
Playlist #162 for Dave's Blues Mix for Sunday 19th Aug, 2007 - five hours of Blues on STAR FM Community Radio, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia. (1600hrs to 2100hrs AEST) on 93.7fm, 100.3fm and 98.5fm also streaming on the web
Presented by:
Dave Barker
Please send any material for airplay (including bio's) to:
STAR FM, PO Box 317, St. Helens, Tasmania 7216. Australia. With many thanks.
Keep on Bluesin' - Dave Barker - To record labels, artists and independent distributors who have sent C.D.s, I thank you so very much.
INTRO: *Pete Cornelius - DBM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
63. Rockin Armadillos - 24/7 - Essex Delta Blues Vol 1 (comp) - Bad Moon Records
- - - - - - - - - - - -
OUTRO: *Bondi Cigars - (footsteps/closing door) - Mercy - Festival Records
|
|
Volume 1 Reviews- - -
Blues in Britain - (Vol 1 - Issue 39) - New+Blue (reviews):
Essex Delta Blues - A Sampler
Essex has a rich tradition of producing some exhilarating blues bands, including the Hamsters, The Feelgoods and the Cadillac Kings amongst many others. In order to display the true diversity of local blues talent, Ray Bartrip of Bad Moon Records and Ashwyn Smyth, presenter of Digital Blues (on PhoenixFM.com) decided to compile a sampler of 17 blues bands and artists, some well known around the UK and some not. With all of their combined blues history and experience the end result is an excellent mix of styles and genres, and is a proud musical statement that testifies to the diversity and originality of blues in Essex. 50% of the material is original and the remainder are well executed cover versions.
Outstanding tracks include "Weep and Moan" from the Swamp Cats, with its great rocking groove and vocal and harp lines, "Honeytrap" from the Rockin' Armadillos with its blistering guitar work, and "Alone in the Dark" from Crying Out Loud with its dark and brooding slide work and excellent female vocals.
This in no way implies inferior tunes from the remainder, which produce some real blues gems, including contributions from The NightFlies, The Heaters, Johnny Gunner and the Raiders, Los Tres Armadillos, Andy Robinson Band, Hair of the Dog, The Jives, The Harvey Williams Band, Gator Blues, Temperton Bones, Richard Dobney Band, Roy Mette, Texas Thunder and Bad Town Blues.
A well-compiled sampler and a credit to its creators and contributors!
Rating: 8 - Mike Mager
*************************************************************
Blues "Essex Delta Blues: A Sampler " Bad Moon Records
badmoon.uk.com
There was a time when any half decent r&b band from Essex would cause a stir in the capital, and in the fullness of time go on to conquer far flung posts of Europe. But with the demise of the quality end of Pub Rock, and the blues circuit in general, those halcyon days have given way to tired old bands playing very obvious covers.
Happily this album restores a little faith. Blues fanatic and Phoenix Digital Blues DJ Ashwyn Smyth very kindly brought this album to my attention, and the 17 track effort while covering all styles of blues, r&b, Rock Blues and Swing, maintains a high standard throughout.
And let's face it you always start with your trump card, and the Nightflies give the old Feelgoods a run for their money with the magnificent self penned "Delta Moon" on which vocalist/song writer Mark Sibley and guitarist Kevin Webb both add weighty contributions.
It has to be said there are plenty of covers, but the Heaters deliver an authoritative "T-Bone Shuffle", and long time Essex blues star Tim Aves and The Rockin Armadillos throw in a heavy duty rendition of Bobby Mack's "Honey Trap", while The Jives strip things down for a down home harp/guitar reading of Micky Jupp's "Down At The Doctors".
The afore mentioned Tim Aves also contributes an acoustic original in trio format, while special mention should be made of the very soulful r&b groove of The Harvey Williams band's "Ain't No Midnight Train". Throw in Roy Mette's acoustic blues and Cryin' Out Loud's clever fusion of heavy slide guitar and female vocal, and you soon start to believe that all the best things pertaining to R&B really do still come from Essex.
Pete Feenstra January 2005 - www.feenstra.co.uk
*************************************************************
Essex Delta Blues - A Sampler
In the meantime what I haven't seen on this list is any review of the Essex Delta Blues CD, which I believe Ashwyn Smyth had some part in organizing/promoting. I bought this at the Heathcote last Wednesday and have listened to it several times.
The recording quality is excellent. Hats off to Ray and his Moon Studio.
I cannot judge whether it is a fair or representative sampling of Essex Blues, but it is certainly *diverse*, and gives the lie to the canard that Blues is sad and/or boring. (I counted only one incidence of lyrics beginning with juxtapositions of the words "up", "work", "morning" and "this".)
As many of the musicians concerned read this list I shall not single out tracks I liked more than any of the others, though they were all listenable and great fun. Overall, the music has an appealing and rather cheeky swagger about it which -- appropriately -- recalls the Feelgoods. I used the sleeve notes to check one or two websites to see if they were current, and they are.
Henry Gee from SXBLUES 27.11.04
**************************************************************
Barry's CD Choice Of The Month
Essex Delta Blues - Bad Moon Records (2004)
Say Essex and you probably think Feelgoods, Hamsters and Cadillac Kings. This lively 17 track compilation showcases the cream of the current crop, with many falling into categories represented by the aforementioned bands. It was co-produced by Phoenix FM's Ashwyn Smith and Ray Bartrip, who has recorded much of the music and plays keyboards with Bad Town Blues on the cracking Louisiana style rumba that ends the CD. Over half the tracks feature original material and several - such as Crying Out Loud, The Harvey Williams Band, Gator Blues, The Richard Dobney Band and The Swampcats - share a brooding, swampy menace which I take to be the Thames Delta sound. The two best cuts hit the same groove - The Nightflies' insanely catchy "Delta Moon" and The Rocking Armadillos' delightfully dirty version of Bobby Mack's "Honeytrap". Variety is provided by the cultured swing of The Heaters, Roy Mette's solo wizardry and power rock from Texas Thunder. A few tracks are hampered by poor or indifferent vocals but the playing is uniformly good throughout (8/10)
Dave Kingsbury
*****************************************************************
BluesShowBob@aol.com wrote:
Hi Ashwyn
Many thanks for sending a copy of this excellent CD to us at GTFM 106.9.
It really is a fine mix of Blues music and we will certainly be playing selected tracks on our show.
I've played the Sampler a couple of times and will be deciding this weekend which to feature first (probably in the next show 10 to midnight on Monday January 17). When I've played it through again, I'll drop you an email confirming which will be played then - my current thinking is that we'll feature an Essex track every week until they're exhausted.
I hope that the CD is serving the required purpose and congratulate you on your personal input to maintaining and developing interest in the Blues; exactly my declared aim.
I wish you a successful 2005.
Cheers
Bob Williams
**************************************************************
Blues Matters Revue (Issue 25):
Essex Delta Blues Sampler
Bad Moon Records. 17 tracks. 73:32mins.
The blues is alive and well and living in, er.., Essex. This project jointly organised by Ray Bartrip of Bad Moon Records and Local "Digital Blues" internet radio presenter Ashwyn Smyth, is a triumph for regional blues, and gives hope up and down the country for talented blues musicians who are honing their craft in some pub or club every night of the week. It has served as useful publicity for these acts and will surely lead to more exposure and airplay. There are 17 different featured artists providing a highly eclectic and ultimately rewarding insight in to the wide musical genre that is UK blues. A mixture of originals and arrangements are included, and there is something here for everyone, from Hendrix to Hiatt and everything between. The CD insert contains useful information on each artist, together with contacts. The recording quality is high and the exuberance and sheer enthusiasm of all involved is there for all to hear. It is perhaps unfair to pick a favourite, but as they've apparently packed up now, let's applaud the swansong from the aptly named Gator Blues, who instantly brought the Mean Red Spiders to mind.....Noggin.
Darren Howells
Asst Manager/Editor