CD Review

Blues Unlimited

Bluze - THE BAND
Pirate Music 2001

Bluze the Band are based in the Gloucestershire area and comprise of Chris Mayfield on Guitar / fretless bass and vocals, Chris Willey Guitar / slide / bass and vocals, Beaz on harmonica / jaws harp and flute, Les Morgan on drums with American singer Jane Pearl guesting on vocals and percussion.

The CD is mainly covers of classics by such artists as Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson and Sleepy John Estes. However the tracks are recreated with such individual creativity that they are well worth listening to. In fact some are so expertly crafted that they qualify as being 'influenced by' and not just covers or copies.

The first few tracks are covers and these lead into some home grown material which shows that the band just oozes talent.

'One Sided Love' is a co-authored track by Chris Willey and Jane Pearl which had the hairs standing up at the back of my neck, 'Big Train' by Chris Willey is a laid back track that has a great rolling beat and features some very subtle harp playing.

'Uncle Albert', a penning by Chris Mayfield is a track that I think will be rearranged in slow blues and in rock guises as it seems to have one of the structures that cries out for multiple styles. It will go down well with regular audiences as it has a chorus type refrain that will have regular fans singing along.

I thought that the opening track called 'Little Red Rooster' was the classic as aired by more bands than we can name here but the arrangement threw me. To be honest I think that this version is one of the best that I have ever heard. The quality of harp playing on this track is second to none.

To conclude a great and very enjoyable CD that took me nearly two weeks to review as it was in my car CD player being worn out. I will certainly be playin tracks from it on my radio show. In addition I look forward to seeing this band live.

Tony Nightingale - BLUES UNLIMITED
Trust AM and Gravity FM

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