WALTER TROUT BAND

A second month running at the top of the play list, Please see below for previous comments, but let it be noted that after listening to over 40 albums in the last few weeks, “Relentless” is way ahead of the field. Here is a great guitarist with songs to match, all performed live as a world premier without a safety net in sight.

Top of the pile for three months running with two different albums, Walter Trout's music is something very special. Where "Life In The Jungle" was a timely reminder of where it all started for Walter in terms of a solo career, "Relentless" is as close as you are going to get to the mature musician and song-writer. That said, "Relentless" is as exciting an album as Walter has ever produced.
The title relates to life on the road, rather than Walter's burgeoning guitar solos, and the album proves beyond doubt that he writes songs as good as he plays his guitar.

The autobiographical "The Life I Chose", and the quite superb "Jericho Road" set the standard, that is surpassed further still on the gospel feel of "Cry If You Want To", poignant rocker "Chatroom Girl" and the guitar led "Helpin' Hand"

Recorded over two nights in front of admiring Dutch crowd, Walter took a big chance, by premiering a whole album of new material at a live gig. Happily "Relentless" is an absolute triumph and sets Walter ahead of any contemporaries I can think of. This is quality of the relentless kind!

WalterTroutBand.com

FAMILY

Marking the 30 year anniversary of one of Britain most innovative and exciting live bands, these re-issued Family albums come complete with bonus tracks, extensive liner notes, photo’s and band comments.

3 decades on some of “A Song” sounds of its time, but reminds you of the frightening energy of the band, while “Anyway” encapsulates the thin dividing line between the chaotic the inspired and the spontaneous

“Fearless” is the album on which it all came together in a post psychedelic haze, the perfect balance between eclectic song writing, delicately restrained aggression, and magical performances, all supplied by Charlie Whitney’s staccato guitar work, Poli Palmer's instrumental invention, and Roger Chapman's peerless passionate vocals.

“Bandstand” was the work of a mature rock band, and includes the hit “Burlesque” and live versions of “No Mule’s Fool” and “Weaver's Answer”, while “It’s Only A Movie”, despite its post pub feel has enough magical moments to remind you what a great band Family were, even with the drinking ethos of Tony Ashton.

“Family Live” is the first ever Family live album, and includes 5 cuts from the “Fearless era, and find Roger Chapman on top form, as the greatest vocalist of his generation. Go and buy!

Chappo.com

CRAIG ERICKSON & The Voodoo Brothers

Absolutely Stunning. Here is a rare phenomenon of a stupendous guitarist teaming up with a great vocalist with both delivering some superb material with panache and excitement.

Firstly the playing is incredible, Craig rocks out, adds funk, beautifully uses the wah wah to is maximum potential and leaves you in no doubt as to his credentials as an intuitive player

Rob Lomothe come across as a bluesier version of former Erickson cohort, Glen Hughes. Overall this has to be one of the finds of the year. If you only listen to the playing on “Ride”, it’s a track that encapsulates one of Erickson’s and his label Provogue’s best ever releases.

Craig-Erickson.com

SOUTHERN ROCK ALLSTARS

Classic Southern Rock can be a full on inspirational meting of quality playing, memorable hooks, killer riffs, and an overall attitude fashioned by its geographic origins. On the plus side, its simple enduring rock, on the down side, it’s a genre that sometimes becomes a little wearisome, too often relying on the triumph of playing ability over songs.

The Southern Rock Allstars proudly bring their own heritage to bear on their second album “Danger Road”.

A band that boasts a pedigree of Molly Hatchett, The Rossington Band, Blackfoot, 38 Special (Duane Roland having replaced guitarist Dave Hlubek – since the recording), and including bassist Charles Hart who has engineered the likes of Skynyrd, and Gov’t Mule, is not to be taken lightly.

The title track is a gem building on a twin guitar opening into a full blown Outlaws style number, while both “Messin’ With My Livin’” and “Stump Jumpin’” add a funky groove to some tough Southern rockin’

There’s even a cover of Lynott’s “Southbound” suggesting these good ol southern boys have an open mind to the origins of good rock. And this is quality southern rock, a must for all lovers of the genre.

SouthernRock.com

DAVE HOLE

A great live purchase for those not yet familiar with the scintillating slide playing of Australian Dave Hole.

Recorded in both his native Perth, and Buddy Guy’s in Chicago, Hole sets the standard from the rocking opener, “Jenny Lee” to the stage fave “Keep your Motor Running”, and generally speaking its these up tempo numbers that work best, as Dave’s strength is in his playing rather than singing.

That said one of the highlight’s is the almost Sonny Rhodes style gently sway of the beautiful instrumental slide piece “Berwick Road”

An album for all guitar blues lovers.

DaveHole.com

ROADHOUSE & FRIENDS

“Roadhouse & Friends” finds Roadhouse in both band and Music Club mode. The band themselves contribute 5 of the live tracks while a fine assortment of guests flesh out the evening in various degrees with both style and raw excitement.

One of the hardest working bands on the circuit, this CD celebrates the 12th anniversary of the band. Roadhouse deliver a compelling mix of double guitar led, edgy blues courtesy of Gary Boner and Jules Fothergill (SlideJules.com), and FM friendly sweeping roots Rock anthems. Impressive self penned cuts such as such as “Blue Highway” and “Voodoo Queen”, are best described as thoughtful glimpses of Americana.

As regards the guests, Robin Bibi (RobinBibiBand.co.uk) adds the style on vocals and guitar and is joined by Pete Sargeant on pithy harp.

The raw gut excitement comes from the explosive Irish blues shouter Damien McCabe (DamienMcCabe.com). Together with blues harp veteran John O’Leary (JohnoLearyBand.com) McCabe tears into a ten minute “First time I Met The Blues, which proves to be a show stopper.

Joe Hollywood adds great promise on a version of “I Loved Another Woman”, and Dr Noel Brown and Canadian guitarist Drew Barron add rockabilly for good measure.

This recoding puts you in the front row of a cracking blues session.

RoadhouseGB.co.uk

THE MELT

Hanging in there, and why not. This kicking young band is ready to make its high profile debut opening for Leslie West In September, and you should all be there!

The most exciting new band on the block, bar none. Watch out for forthcoming London dates!

Every now and then a band pops up and sweeps the board like a breath of fresh air. Working in the rock blues idiom The Melt offer much much more. It’s not just the energy, the crucial guitar riffs, the heavy duty blues harp, or even the powerful rhythm section. No, the reason The Melt impress aside from a very contemporary approach to their rocking blues, is both the originality of their songs and above all that little thing called enthusiasm.

Imagine the drive of the early Hoax, the raw gut power of Johnny Lang, the riffs of Kenny Wayne Sheppard, the passion of Walter Trout, and you are getting close to the sheer frisson of this young band.

The Melt hail from Skegness, take no prisoners and will shortly be hitting London, don’t miss them!

Listen to Jumping South and No Shame - these are just examples, the whole CD is great!

themelt.co.uk

MARCUS MALONE

OK so since this month seems to be dominated by guitarists, lets slip in one we missed a few weeks back. If he’s not a familiar name with you it is probably because most of his appearances in the UK have been rationed to the festival circuit, but Detroit guitarist Marcus Malone is without doubt a major talent. If anything it's his fluid style and ability to slip from blues into funk, and cutting edge rock that has stopped him from crossing over.

Happily this compilation of the best of his career so far, is an excellent introduction of a fiery, funky guitar player with silky smooth vocals to match. File under classy blues.

MarcusMalone.com

BUGS HENDERSON

Although not yet a Texas blues legend in the sense of SRV, Bugs is a players player who prefers to let his playing do the talking.

On this 1996 outing, the album comes complete with audio liner notes at the end, and its arguably one of Bugs most comprehensive albums.

Never a great song writer, Henderson adds spark to obvious covers like “Lucille”, adds telling slide to a reworking of Highway 61, adds a metal feel to “Sunshine of Your Love2”, throws in a self penned funky “Don’t Do It”, and rocks out on “Crippled Creek Bounce”

The title track is a Dylanesque style narrative, Bugs style, slow greasy understated and always with an ironic twist.

BugsHenderson.com

ANA POPOVIC

This is a hard one to call. Ana is almost out there on her own, as a tough rocking guitarist. Stylistically and vocal wise she comes close to label stable mate Jan James perhaps, but its her her straight ahead rock guitar that leads the way. Of the 11 tracks Ana contributes 4 and one co-write. The self penned title track is very promising being an understated funk piece, but this is in sharp contrast to the well crafted rock of the Marshall/Caroll penned “Love Me Again”

Ana adds some chunky guitar line son “Change My Mind”, and slips into a further funk groove on Steely Dan’s “Night By Night”. Perhaps the funky presence reflects her recent outings with Solomon Burke.

File under promising, and watch this space.

AnaPopovic.com